Xu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Metal (jīn) Kangxi Strokes: 16 Page 1311, Entry 11 Tang Rhymes (Tangyun), Collection Rhymes (Jiyun), Rhyme Compendium (Yunhui), Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun): Pronounced jin. Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen): Silk fabric woven with colorful patterns. The character is formed with silk as the radical and metal as the phonetic element. Xu (Xuyue) says: Xiang refers to variegated colors. During the Han dynasty, there was a county in Wei Commandery that excelled at weaving brocade, hence it was named Xiangyi. Explanation of Names (Shiming): Brocade (jin) relates to gold (jin). It requires great effort to produce and its value is comparable to gold, hence the character is composed of metal and silk. Book of Odes (Shijing), Odes of Wei: Wearing fine brocade robes, covered by a single-layered hemp garment. Commentary (Zhuan): Brocade refers to beautiful, patterned garments. Zuo Commentary (Zuozhuan), 31st Year of Duke Xiang: You possess beautiful brocade, yet you will not let others use it to practice cutting. Records of Omissions (Shiyiji): On Yuanqiao Mountain, there is an ice silkworm that requires frost covering before it can spin a cocoon. The cocoons are multicolored; later generations imitated this by dyeing threads in five colors and weaving them into brocade. History of the Five Dynasties (Wudai Shi), Genealogy of Wuyue: There was a large tree in Lin'an where Qian Liu played as a child. When he returned to his hometown after achieving high status, he draped the tree in brocade and addressed it as General Brocade. Records from the Southern Window (Nanchuang Jitan): The title of Palace Grandee was historically referred to as the Ten Types of Brocade. Upon appointment, one does not need to wait for imperial amnesty to bestow honors upon parents, this is the first type. One's wife may be titled a Lady of the Commandery, this is the second type. There is no restriction on recommending talented individuals to the court, this is the third type. One may request official positions for one's sons, this is the fourth type. One is permitted to ride on the imperial path, this is the fifth type. One may use purple velvet cushions on a horse saddle, this is the sixth type. One may have ceremonial wooden boards carried before the horse, this is the seventh type. One may use gold utensils in the banquet hall and the side halls, this is the eighth type. One is permitted to present a posthumous memorial, this is the ninth type. The official state history shall record one's biography, this is the tenth type. Also a surname. During the Han dynasty, there was a Minister of the Household named Jinbei. Also Bei-jin, a type of insect. Book of Odes (Shijing), Minor Odes: Interwoven patterns of variegated colors, woven into this shell-patterned brocade. Annotation: A type of aquatic crustacean with patterns resembling brocade. Also the name of a body of water. Former History of the Han (Qianhan Shu), Biography of Sima Xiangru: There is a body of water in the Han palace called Jin, where mandarin ducks reside. Records of the Universal Geography (Guangyu Ji): To the south of Chengdu Prefecture city lies the Brocade River (Jin Jiang), also known as the Wen River. Brocade woven there becomes exceptionally bright and beautiful when washed in this river; that place is called Jinli, and the city is known as the Brocade Official City (Jinguan Cheng).