Si Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Water (shuǐ) Entry: Jian Kangxi Stroke Count: 21 Page 661, Entry 13 Pronounced jian Book of Erya (Erya), Definition of Water: A spring that sometimes appears and sometimes disappears is called jian. Note: Jian describes a state of just appearing. Commentary: The meaning is that the spring water intermittently appears and then dries up. Also refers to soaking or moistening. Book of Huainanzi (Huainanzi), Important Outlines: Soaking into the skin. Also refers to destruction, interchangeable with jian (to annihilate). Book of Gongyang Commentary (Gongyangzhuan), 17th Year of Duke Zhuang: In summer, the people of Qi destroyed (jian) the people of Sui. Commentary: What is the meaning of jian? It is to soak or infiltrate, referring to the multitude killing the garrison. Two other versions of the text are written as jian (to annihilate). Also interchangeable with jian (to gradually progress). Book of Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Treatise on the Celestial Offices: Approaching the Jian platform star near the Milky Way. One version is written as Jian platform. According to the Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun): Pronounced xian. The meaning is the same.