You Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Foot (zú) Kangxi Strokes: 17 Page 1230, Entry 40 Pronounced jian. According to the Shuowen Jiezi (Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters), it means to limp. According to the Shiming (Explanation of Names), jian means to limp, being unable to perform tasks or duties due to ailment. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), House of Jin: Que Ke was hunchbacked, the envoy from Lu was lame, and the envoy from Wei was blind in one eye. Book of Han (Hanshu), Biographical Narrative: A team of worn-out, lame horses. Zhuangzi, On the Nurturing of Life: Deaf, blind, and lame. Also, from the I Ching (Book of Changes), the Jian hexagram: Jian means difficulty, having danger ahead. Also: The king's ministers are loyal and upright. The commentary states: To face difficulties and seek to overcome them is why it says the king's ministers are loyal and upright. Also, Zuo Zhuan, Sixth Year of Duke Ai: They are all arrogant and haughty, and will abandon your commands. The commentary explains: Yan-jian means arrogant and haughty. Qu Yuan, Li Sao: Gazing at the high and towering Yaotai Terrace. The commentary explains: Towering appearance. Also: Why is the jade pendant so beautiful and magnificent? The commentary explains: Appearing abundant and flourishing. Also, Nine Songs: The spirit dances gracefully in beautiful attire. The commentary explains: Appearance of dancing. The supplementary commentary explains: Winding and curved appearance. Also, Records of the Grand Historian, Biography of Sima Xiangru: Twisted and winding ditches. The commentary explains: Jian-chan means bent and folded. Also, Guanzi, Four Seasons: Do not pull up the flowers or cut the taro. The commentary explains: Jian means to pull up. Also, Qu Yuan, Li Sao: I will be at ease in the longevity palace. The commentary explains: Jian is a particle. Also, Guangya: Jian means to disturb. Also, a surname. Zuo Zhuan, Thirty-Second Year of Duke Xi: Duke Mu consulted Jian Shu. The commentary identifies him as a dignitary of Qin. Qu Yuan, Li Sao: I ordered Jian Xiu to be the intermediary. The commentary explains: Jian Xiu was a minister of Fuxi. Pronounced jian (rising tone). Also pronounced jian (falling tone). The meaning is the same. Also used interchangeably with qian. Zhuangzi, Mountain Tree: Lifting the hem of the robe and walking with rapid steps. Chu Ci, Nine Declarations: Fearful of wetting one's feet by lifting the hem of the robe. The supplementary commentary notes: Jian is read like qian. Also used interchangeably with jian. Qu Yuan, Li Sao: I long knew that speaking uprightly would lead to trouble. The commentary explains: Jian-jian signifies a loyal and upright appearance. The I Ching says: The king's ministers are loyal and upright. The supplementary commentary notes: Modern editions of the I Ching use the character for jian (difficulty). Earlier scholars often cited the classics this way, as ancient and modern versions differ. According to the Liushu Zheng'e (Rectification of the Six Scripts), the character is formed by the radical for foot and a simplified phonetic element for cold. Limping is its primary meaning; it is borrowed to represent difficulty or uprightness. Writing it separately as jian is incorrect. Textual research: Qu Yuan, Li Sao: Gazing at the towering Yaotai Terrace. We have added the character for gaze before Yao in accordance with the original text.