Chen Collection, Middle Volume
Radical: Tree (mù)
檢
Kangxi stroke count: 17
Page 557, Entry 19
Pronounced jian (rising tone).
According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi): a document seal or cover. Xu Shen remarks: It refers to the cover of a document case, on which three grooves are carved. It is bound with cord and then sealed with mud, upon which a title or seal is impressed.
In the Commentary on the Office of Market Superintendent (Sishi zhu) in the Rites of Zhou (Zhouli): Imperial seals and tallies are similar to modern document sealing covers.
It also refers to a jade cover; a cover made of jade. In the Commentary on the Feng and Shan Sacrifices in the Annals of Emperor Wu of the Former Han (Qianhan): Gold mud and jade covers.
It is also used for the labels on document portfolios. In the Biography of Gongsun Zan in the History of the Later Han (Houhan shu): Black pouches were used for the document covers.
In the Classified Dictionary (Leipian): Commonly called swallow-tails, also known as guides.
It also means to restrain or regulate. In the Mencius: Dogs and pigs eat the food of humans, yet the ruler does not know to restrain them.
In the Approaches to the Classics (Erya): Jian means to be the same. Guo Pu's commentary notes: It refers to standards and molds that are identical.
It also refers to patterns and models. In the Master's Arts (Zhushu xun) of the Huainanzi: A ruler establishes laws and first sets a personal example, thus the laws can be implemented throughout the world.
A tool for straightening wood is also called jian. In the Model Sayings (Fayan) by Yang Xiong: Foolishly following the patterns and constraints.
It also refers to an inspector; an official title. In the Basic Annals of Emperor Taizu in the History of Song (Song shi): Served as the chief inspector.
In the Collection of Rhymes (Yunhui): A common term for a draft of a document is jianzi.
Also a surname. In the Garden of Surnames (Xingyuan): Jian Qiming, a commandant of Gouzhang during the Han dynasty, changed his name to avoid a taboo.
