Chen Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Wood (mù) Entry: mian Kangxi Stroke Count: 19 Page 559, Entry 28 Pronounced mian (level tone) Explanatory note from the Discussing Writing (Shuowen Jiezi): Originally written as a variant form; refers to the connecting structural elements of a roof. Xu Xuan comments: Mian also means to cover or partition. Verses from the Elegies of Chu (Chucic), Nine Songs (Jiuge): Plucking orchids to cover the roof, now spread out. Commentary: This means to split orchid stems to cover the roof structure. Also written in a variant form (mian).