Wei Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Silk (mì) 緘 Kangxi strokes: 15 Page 930, Entry 01 Pronounced jian. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to binding a chest. According to the Expanded Rhymes (Guangyun), it refers to sealing or locking. In the School Sayings of Confucius (Kongzi Jiayu), it is noted that when Confucius observed the ancestral temple of the Zhou, he saw a metal statue with its mouth bound shut three times. In the Zhuangzi, under the chapter Discussion on Making All Things Equal (Qiwulun), it is written that its stillness is like being bound shut. Also, according to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), it is pronounced jian (falling tone), referring to the ropes used to secure a coffin on the sides. It is also used interchangeably with the character for all (xian). In the Book of Rites (Liji), in the chapter Greater Record of Mourning (Sang Daji), it mentions officials and scholars using the xian binding. The commentary notes that xian should be read as jian. According to the Explaining Names (Shiming), the bindings of a coffin are called jian. Jian means to enclose, as in ancient times, coffins were not nailed shut.