Wei Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Ear (ěr) Deaf Kangxi stroke count: 22 Page 970, Entry 06 Pronounced long According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to an inability to hear. According to the Explanation of Names (Shiming), it means caged. It is as if one is inside a dark cage and cannot perceive things clearly. Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), twenty-sixth year of Duke Xi: If the ears cannot hear the harmony of the five sounds, it is called being deaf. Also, fourteenth year of Duke Xuan: Zheng was confused and Song was deaf. The commentary states: Deaf means to be unenlightened. Book of Rites (Liji), Royal Regulations: Those who are mute, deaf, lame, crippled, or have severed limbs. The commentary explains: Deaf means the ears cannot hear sounds. Also, Conglong, the name of a beast. Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhai Jing): In Mount Fuyu, there are many Conglong beasts; their form is like a sheep with a red mane. The commentary states: Conglong is like a sheep with a black head and a red mane. Also, in the Rhyme Supplement (Yunbu), it rhymes with the sound lang. Forest of Changes (Yilin): Looking into the distance without light, one does not know blue or yellow. With yellow silk cotton plugging the ears, it causes the ruler to be in the dark and deaf. Textual research: In the Zuo Tradition, twenty-sixth year of Duke Xi, it states: If the ears cannot hear the harmony of the five sounds, it is called deaf. I have corrected the original text to read deaf.