Xu Collection, Upper Volume
Radical: Gate (mén)
Kangxi stroke count: 12
Page 1333, Entry 03
Pronounced min (falling tone).
According to the Shuowen Jiezi (Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters), it refers to a person offering condolences at the door. Xu states that it is now written in a variant form (mǐn), which is incorrect.
Also, per the Yupian (Jade Chapter), it means anxiety, distress, or suffering.
In the Book of Odes (Shijing), it says, "The distress encountered has already been great." The commentary defines it as distress.
In the Book of Rites (Liji), it says, "Do not worry about the officials." The commentary notes it was originally also written in a variant form (mǐn).
It also means to pity or to grieve for. In the Book of Odes (Shijing), the preface to the poem concerning the path along the Ru stream refers to a woman able to pity her husband. The commentary defines this as pity.
It also means to exert effort. In the Book of Documents (Shujing), it says, "I only exert effort for Heaven and the common people." The commentary defines it as exertion.
It is also a place name. In the Guliang Zhuan (Guliang's Commentary), it notes that the Marquis of Qi attacked the state of Song and surrounded the place called Min. The commentary notes that in the Zuo Zhuan (Zuo's Commentary), it is written as min.
It is also a surname. The Yunhui (Collection of Rhymes) notes Min Sun, a disciple of Confucius. There is also Min Mafu, seen in the Zuo Zhuan (Zuo's Commentary).
It is also used in personal names. In the History of the Former Han (Qian Hanshu), it records the installation of the son of King Qing of Lu, the Marquis of Wu, named Min, as a king.
Pronounced min (rising tone).
According to the Shuowen Jiezi (Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters), it refers to the autumn season. It cites the Book of Yu (Yushu), noting that when benevolent virtue pities and covers the world, it is called the autumn heaven (min). Some books write it as min. It is used interchangeably with min.
Also, in the Book of Odes (Shijing), it says, "Such grace, such labor, raising a child is truly a toil." The commentary notes this also means distress.
