Yin Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Roof (mián) Kangxi Strokes: 3 Page 281, Entry 11 Pronounced mian. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it represents the overlapping cover of a deep house. Tian Yiheng says: In ancient times, people lived in caves or in the wild. Before there were palaces or dwellings, there was first the roof, and only then the cave. The character represents a high, protruding mound above, with a form beneath where one can hide the body; thus, the character for cave is derived from it. The systems for rooms, houses, palaces, and peaceful dwellings all stem from this.