You Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Speech (yán) Jian; Kangxi strokes: 16; Page 1170, Entry 17 Ancient form. Pronounced jian (falling tone). According to the Shuo Wen Jie Zi (Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters): to remonstrate. Xu states: to interpose. If a ruler states something is wrong, the minister presents what is right to intervene; in terms of its composition, the character jian (to select) combined with speech forms jian (to remonstrate). Jian implies distinguishing between good and evil to present to a ruler. According to the Bai Hu Tong (Comprehensive Discussions in the White Tiger Hall): to interpose, to follow, to change. When right and wrong are interposed, one reforms one's conduct. According to the Book of Odes (Shijing), Wei Wind, Qi Ao Preface Commentary: to confront. To confront the ruler's intent and advise him. According to the Guang Ya (Expanded Etymology): to correct. According to the Guang Yun (Broad Rhymes): remonstration, speaking directly to enlighten someone. According to the Book of Documents (Shangshu), Sayings of Yue: When a ruler follows remonstrance, he becomes wise. According to the Book of Rites (Liji), Qu Li: The duty of a minister is not to remonstrate openly; if he remonstrates three times without being heard, he should withdraw. When a son serves his parents, if he remonstrates three times without being heard, he should wail and weep as he follows them. According to the History of the Former Han (Qian Hanshu), Biography of Jia Shan: Craftsmen recite cautionary remonstrances, blind musicians recite poetic remonstrances, ministers offer comparative remonstrances, and scholars convey remonstrances regarding faults. According to the Old Book of Tang (Jiu Tangshu), Treatise on Official Posts: There are five types of remonstrance: first, suggestive remonstrance; second, compliant remonstrance; third, regulatory remonstrance; fourth, effective remonstrance; fifth, direct remonstrance. Also an official title. According to the Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Earth Officials: There is the Si Jian (Overseer of Remonstrance). Commentary: Jian means to correct, using the Way to rectify a person's conduct. According to the Commentary on the History of the Later Han (Hou Hanshu), Treatise on Official Posts: Hu Guang stated: In the fifth year of the Yuanshou era of Emperor Wu, the position of Jian Dafu (Grand Master of Remonstrance) was established as a Guanglu Dafu (Grand Master of the Household). Emperor Guangwu, upon the restoration of the dynasty, changed this to Jianyidafu (Remonstrating Grand Master). Also the name of a bird. According to the Garden of Stories (Shuoyuan), Bian Wu Chapter: In the east, there is a bird named Jianke, with patterned plumage and red feet, which hates birds but loves foxes. Also the name of a fruit. According to the Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu): The olive is also called the Jian fruit, originating from the Agricultural Treatise (Nongshu). Also a surname. According to the Comprehensive Customs (Fengsu Tong): During the Han dynasty, there was a Zhi Shu Shi Shi (Recorder of Remonstrances) named Jian Zhong. Also pronounced jian (level tone). According to the Lei Bian (Categorized Chapters): to argue. Also pronounced lan. Equivalent to the character lan (to accuse falsely). Also rhyming with xian. According to the Book of Odes (Shijing), Greater Odes: The King wishes to value you, and thus offers great remonstrance. Also rhyming with jian. According to Que Zheng, Shi Ji: Like a traveler gaining something at the market, or children chanting by the border, hoping to increase blessings and exert effort in regulatory remonstrance. Commentary: Pan is pronounced bian. According to the Su Shu Zheng Wu (Correction of Popular Errors): It is incorrect to write the component as dong (east). Jian is pronounced ding, meaning to speak too much.