Wu Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Grain (hé) Character: Qi Kangxi Stroke Count: 13 Page 855, Entry 07 Tang Rhymes (Tangyun) and Collected Rhymes (Jiyun) state: Pronounced ji. It is the original form of the character for a full year. A period of one year is called qi. Shuowen Jiezi explains: Qi signifies the cycle of time returning to its original season. Old Book of Tang (Tangshu), Biography of Wen Yanbo records: I see that he will not live to see two full years. Jade Chapters (Yupian) defines it as grain stalks. Collected Rhymes (Jiyun) states: Pronounced qi. Refers to the stems of beans.