Si Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Water (shuǐ) Entry: Lian Kangxi brush strokes: 13 Page 636, Entry 10 Tang Rhyme (Tangyun), Collection Rhyme (Jiyun), Rhyme Meeting (Yunhui), and Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun) state: Pronounced lian (falling tone). Explanation from the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen): To boil. Jade Chapters (Yupian) states: To boil silk or silk fabric until processed. Book of Rites (Zhouli), Winter Officers, Record of Trades (Kaogongji): Workers boil the silk. Also used interchangeably with the character meaning processed silk (lian).