Shen Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Grass (cǎo) Jian (falling tone) Kangxi stroke count: 19 Page 1031, Entry 01 The archaic form is given in the Tang Rhyme (Tangyun) and Collection Rhymes (Jiyun) as pronounced dian, with the pronunciation jian (falling tone). Classic of Rites (Erya), Explanation of Grasses: Jian refers to millet-like weeds. Commentary: It is a type of wormwood. History of Tang (Tangshu), Biography of Qibi Heli: They pursued the fodder grasses and beautiful waters to sustain their lives. Analytical Dictionary of Characters (Shuowen): Grass that is eaten by beasts. Master Zhuang (Zhuangzi), Discussion on Making All Things Equal: Milu deer eat fodder. Guo Commentary: That which is eaten by the six domestic animals is called jian. Also, according to the Rhyme Collection (Yunhui), it means to advance or present. Book of Changes (Yijing), Yu Hexagram: Grandly present this to the Lord on High. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Officers of the Bamboo Dishes: The provisions for presentation and refreshment. Commentary: Food and drink not yet consumed are called jian; once consumed, they are called xiu. Commentary to the Guliang Commentary (Guliangzhuan): Sacrificing without a sacrificial animal is called jian. Also, according to the Collection Rhymes (Jiyun), pronounced cai and dian (falling tone). Equivalent to jian. History of the Former Han (Qianhanshu), Biography of Zhong Jun: Following the herds, they lived among the fodder. Shigu Commentary: Jian is read as jian. Also interchangeable with jin. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Annals of the Five Emperors: The gentlemen with sashes (jin-shen) found it difficult to speak of. Also, according to the Dialects of Master Yang (Fangyan): In the regions of the Yangtze and Huai, dwelling at home is called jian. Commentary: Jian is pronounced like jian. Also, according to the Supplement to the Collection of Characters (Zihuibu), pronounced jue. Book of Odes (Shijing), Greater Odes: Minced meat presented as an offering. It rhymes with jue and e. Collection Rhymes (Jiyun): Sometimes written as a variant form. The character originally derives from the form for barnyard grass. Textual Research: In the Rites of Zhou, Officers of the Bamboo Dishes, it reads presentation and refreshment affairs. Corrected to read provisions in accordance with the original text. In the Dialects of Master Yang, it reads dwelling at home among, called jian. The commentary states the pronunciation of jian as... Corrected in accordance with the original text, changing the term for home and the pronunciation to jian.