Wei Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Meat (ròu) Pulse; Kangxi stroke count: 12 Page 982, Entry 06 Correction of Orthography (Zhengzitong): This is the vulgar form of the character for pulse. Collection of Rhymes (Yunhui): Master Mao says: This character is composed of meat and a component derived from the character for flowing water. People nowadays write it as the character for forever, which is incorrect. The character for forever is the ancient form of the character for chant. If you reverse the character for forever, you get a component representing water flowing diagonally, pronounced pai. Using this component signifies diagonal flow; one should not use the character for forever. However, this way of writing has been followed for a long time, so one does not dare to abolish it. Pulse (mai) Integrated Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun): Pronounced mo. Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun): Pronounced mo, sound same as wheat. Explanation of Characters (Shuowen): Refers to the branching vascular patterns that run diagonally within the body. Jade Chapters (Yupian): The texture of blood. Correction of Orthography (Zhengzitong): The channels through which the energy of the five viscera and six entrails flows to the four limbs. Explanation of Names (Shiming): Pulse is like a curtain; it connects the entire body like a network of curtains. Zuo Tradition (Zuozhuan), 15th Year of Duke Xi: Qing Zheng said: Blood pulses expand and surge. Commentary: Blood pulses must circulate throughout the entire body. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Treatise on Music: Music is used to cause the blood pulses to fluctuate and to make the spirit circulate. History of the Former Han (Qianhan), Treatise on Literature: Books in the category of medical classics are those that investigate human blood pulses, meridians, bone marrow, yin and yang, and exterior and interior. Also refers to earth veins. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Offices of Heaven, Ulcer Physician: Use salty flavors to nourish the pulses. Commentary: Salty is the taste of water. Water flows within the earth just like pulses.