Mao Collection, Middle Volume. Radical: Door (hù). Strokes: 7. Page 415, Entry 08. Shuowen Jiezi: The original form of the character Mao. It is distinguished from the character You in that the upper strokes are connected. The character You is pronounced the same as You. Liushu Zheng'e: Mao signifies the opening of a door. The character shape consists of two door elements, resembling two doors being opened. Because the pronunciation is similar, it was borrowed to represent the Mao of the twelve earthly branches, symbolizing the rising of the sun and the growth of all things. It is an ancient form of the character Mao. Tangyun, Jiyun, Yunhui, and Zhengyun: Pronounced mao (falling-rising tone), the same as the pronunciation of Mao. Shuowen Jiezi: It means to emerge or push through. It refers to the second lunar month, when all things break through the earth; the shape resembles an open door, hence the second month is called the Heavenly Gate. Xu Kai: During the second month, the yin energy can no longer suppress things, and the yang energy emerges. The Heavenly Gate refers to the time when all things emerge. Guangyun: It is the fourth of the twelve earthly branches. Erya, Shitian: A year in which the planet Jupiter is in the position of Mao is called Dan'e. Jinshu, Yuezhi: Mao means lush; it refers to the birth and flourishing growth of yang energy and all things. Yunhui: It is commonly written as a variant form, but this is incorrect.