Wu Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Grain (hé) 9 strokes Page 850, Entry 22 Pronounced miao (falling tone). In the Explanation of Graphs (Shuowen), it is defined as the awn of grain. Grain sprouts at the spring equinox, and by the summer solstice, the shadow cast by the sundial can be measured. Grain develops an awn, which is set by the autumn equinox. In the Collection of Rhymes (Yunhui), it is said that the word miao implies something subtle or minute. In the Former Han (Qianhan) Narrative Biography (Xuchuan), it is written: Production of qi corresponds to the Yellow Bell, and calculations extend to the minute. The commentary states: Miao refers to the awn of grain, and hu refers to the finest of spiderwebs.