Zi Collection, Page Position: Lower Radical: Knife (dāo) Liu; Kangxi Stroke Count: 15; Page: Page 144 Entry 39 In ancient texts, it was written as "鎦". Pronounced "liú" (rising tone), rhymes with "liú". [Shuowen Jiezi] explains it as: to kill. [Book of Documents (Shangshu) - Pan Geng] records: "Cherish my people, do not exterminate them Liu." (Meaning: Cherish my people, do not kill them all.) [Book of Odes (Shijing) - Zhou Song] has "Sheng Yin E Liu" (Meaning: Defeat Yin Shang and stop the killing). [Zuo Tradition (Zuozhuan) - Duke Cheng, Year 13] has "Liu wo bianchui" (Meaning: Invade my border). Also, [Erya - Shigu] explains: Liu, meaning "chen" (to arrange, to display). [Shu] explains it as: to spread out, to scatter. Also, [Erya - Shigu] explains: Liu, meaning "le" (sparse and uneven appearance). [Shu] explains it as: the appearance of sparse and uneven branches and leaves of a tree is called "le". [Book of Odes (Shijing) - Da Ya] has "Luo cai qi liu". [Mao Commentary] explains: Liu refers to the appearance of sparse branches and leaves due to sun exposure. Also, [Erya - Shimu] explains: Liu refers to Liu Yi (a type of tree). [Note] states: The Liu tree grows in the mountains. [Shu] explains: Liu is also called Liu Yi, and its fruit is edible. It is also used as a surname. [Yun Hui] records: The Liu surname has twenty-five commanderies and prefectures, all descended from Tao Tangshi Liu Lei. Also, pronounced "liǔ" (falling tone), meaning "good". Also, pronounced "lòu" (falling tone), rhymes with "lòu", meaning "to kill". In the Han Dynasty ritual system, there was a sacrifice called "Chou Liu" (a sacrifice involving killing beasts) during the beginning of autumn. Also, written as "鐂".