Wei Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Mortar (jiù) Kangxi stroke count: 18 Page 1006, Entry 01 Pronounced jiù. Pronounced the same as jiù (coffin). Shuowen Jiezi explains this as chi-jiu, meaning to remain or stay. Xu Shen comments that this refers to a type of owl. Also, Guangyun explains this as gu, meaning old, former, or past. Zengyun defines this as the opposite of new. Book of Odes (Shijing), Bin Feng: The new bride is beautiful, but what about the old one? Zuo Zhuan, 28th Year of Duke Xi: The masses chanted: The grass in the fields is lush; abandon the old and seek the new. Gongyang Zhuan, 29th Year of Duke Zhuang: It is asked: Why was the new Yan stable built? It was to repair the old one. Also defined as jiu, meaning long-lasting or a long time. Book of Odes (Shijing), Daya: Alas, you young person, I tell you of the long-standing statutes. Zheng Xuan comments: Jiu means long duration. Also, Yunhui defines this as xi, meaning the past; it also refers to old, accomplished, and prestigious persons. It is also a surname. In the Han dynasty, there was a Governor of Shangdang named Jiu Qiang. It is also used interchangeably with the character for coffin. History of Jin (Jinshi), Biography of Cai Gui: Records the "old" (jiu) of the Prince of Yan, Ling. Here, the character "old" is used interchangeably with the character for coffin. Also, Yunhui and Zhengyun state it is pronounced jiu, with the same sound as the character for mortar. The meaning is the same. Also, Jiyun states it is pronounced xiu, the same as the character for owl (xiū). Also, Yunbu notes the rhyming pronunciation (ye) as ji. Book of Odes (Shijing), Daya: It is not that the Heavenly Emperor is bad, but that the Shang dynasty does not employ its old ministers. (In this context, the character shi is pronounced as shi). From the same poem: Now these people no longer honor the old statutes. (Rhymes with the character li). Also, the rhyming pronunciation is ji. Poem by Wei Cheng: The Son of Heaven examines me and promotes me to the rank of the Three Dukes. He considers that I was demoted for an error and restores my former noble title. Also, Guanzi, Mumin Chapter: If one does not respect ancestors and old friends, then filial piety and fraternal duty are incomplete. According to Tang Yun Zheng, the pronunciation of this character is ji, so ji is also considered its standard pronunciation, not merely a rhyming one. Also, the rhyming pronunciation is qiu. History of the Former Han (Qianhan), Xuzhuan: The three collateral branches rise, but the roots have already decayed. The withered poplar has blossomed, but how can it be like it was in the old days?