Shen Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Grass (cǎo) Lan Kangxi stroke count: 23 Page 1070, Entry 07 Collected Rhymes (Jiyun) states it is pronounced lan. It shares the same sound as the character for indigo. Explanations of Characters (Shuowen) indicates it refers to pickled melons or vegetables. Another explanation states it refers to clear water. Furthermore, according to the Extensive Dictionary of Sounds and Meanings (Guangyun), it is pronounced lan. The meaning is identical.