Mao Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Hand (shǒu) Page 451, Entry 01 Pronounced kou. According to the Shuo Wen Jie Zi (Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters), it means to gather or pull up. It also refers to lifting one's robes to ascend a hall. According to the Guang Yun (Broad Rhymes), it means to hold or lift clothing. In the Book of Rites (Liji), it is written: "Lift the robes to approach the corner." The commentary states that to lift refers to raising them. It also means to probe or reach for. In the Liezi, Huangdi Chapter, it is written: "Those who reach for items with a tile are skillful; those who reach with a hook are hesitant; those who reach with gold are confused." The commentary states that this refers to hiding an object with the hand and reaching in to take it. Also, according to the Fangyan (Regional Dialects), it refers to swirling or gathering. In the regions of Qin and Jin, when crops mature early, it is called swirling; in the regions of Yan and Qi, it is called lifting and swirling. In the Jiyun (Collected Rhymes), it is sometimes written as a variant form (kua). Also, pronounced qu. It also means to lift up the lower hem of a garment. Also, pronounced ou. The same as striking. It refers to beating or striking an object.