Si Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Water (shuǐ) Gradual (jiàn) Kangxi Strokes: 15 Page 647, Entry 14 Pronounced jiǎn. Name of a river. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen), the water originates in the Southern Barbarian regions of Yi County, Danyang, and flows east into the sea. It also refers to a gradual, progressive, or slight state, or the initial manifestation of an event. In the Correct Meaning of the Hexagram of Gradual (Yijing), gradual means not hasty. Whenever things change or move, it is called gradual if it is slow and not rapid. Also written as the variant form (qián). In the Book of Documents (Shujing), it is written that vegetation gradually entwines. The Commentary of Explanation (Shiwen) says to read it as written; some versions also use the character (qián). The Dictionary of Characters (Zilin) gives the pronunciation as cǎi rán, referring to the way vegetation wraps around itself. Also pronounced chán. Equivalent to the character (chán), meaning high. Sometimes written as the variant (zhǎn). In the Book of Odes (Shijing), it is written that the high, jagged rocks are indeed lofty. Also pronounced jiàn. The appearance of flowing water. In the Songs of Chu (Chuci), it is written that tears flow continuously. Also pronounced jiān. Refers to flowing into. In the Book of Documents (Shujing), it is written that it flows east into the sea. It also refers to soaking or wetting. In the Book of Odes (Shijing), it is written about wetting the carriage curtains. It further refers to influencing or indoctrinating. In the Biography of Dong Zhongshu from the History of the Former Han (Qian Han Shu), it is written about influencing the people with benevolence. It also refers to the name of a terrace. In the Commentary on the Water Classic (Shuijing Zhu), it is written that there is a terrace named Jian in the Taiye Pool, measuring thirty zhang. It is also the name of a star. In the Gan School Star Manual (Gan Shi Xing Jing), the Jian Terrace consists of four stars belonging to the area east of the Weaver Girl star. Also pronounced jiàn. Referring to the damp or moist appearance of marshland. Also pronounced zhé. Same as the character (zhè), the name of a river. Also pronounced qián. Refers to wading through water. Equivalent to the character (qián). In the Book of Documents (Shujing), it is written about being deeply immersed and firmly restrained. In the Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan) and the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), both are written as (chén jiàn). Textual Research: The character is commonly written as (qián). In the Book of Documents (Shujing), it says vegetation gradually entwines. The original text had Commentary, which has been corrected to Commentary of Explanation (Shiwen) according to the original book.