Yin Collection, Upper Volume
Radical: Roof (bù)
11 strokes
Page 288, Entry 11
Pronounced mi.
Erya: Explanation of Mountains (Erya): A mountain shaped like a hall is called mi. Guo Pu’s commentary: A mountain shape resembling a hall is called mi. Shi Zi states: The rats among the pine and cypress trees do not know that there are fine fir trees in the great hall-like mountains. Another interpretation is that it means quiet.
Yu Pian: It means to cease, to be silent, or to be deep and secluded.
Book of Changes (Yijing): The sage uses this to cleanse the inner mind, retreating and hiding in deep, secluded, and secret places.
Book of Odes (Shijing): Morning and evening receiving the mandate of Heaven, generous and quiet, mi. Commentary: This refers to what is used to receive the mandate of Heaven, being grand, deep, and tranquil, and meticulous.
Zeng Yun: It means dense, as opposed to sparse.
Book of Changes (Yijing): Dense clouds gathered but no rain fell.
Book of Odes (Shijing): The settled people then became dense. Commentary: This refers to the people living there, becoming more dense day by day.
Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji): The legal net also became somewhat strict and dense.
It also means secret.
Book of Changes (Yijing): If confidential matters are not kept secret, it will jeopardize success.
Book of Rites (Liji): Hidden and not dense. Commentary: Mi refers to being closed off.
Book of Rites (Liji): Do not pry into secret places. Commentary: Secret corners are places where it is taboo to peek at others’ private affairs.
It also means intimate or close.
Book of Documents (Shujing): Be close to the royal house to transform their customs.
A state name. The Mixu clan was a state with the surname Ji. Book of Odes (Shijing): The people of the Mi state were not respectful.
A prefecture name. The ancient Gumu city was under Langye Commandery in the Qin dynasty, and became Mi Prefecture in the Sui dynasty. It was named after a river.
A surname. Zhengzitong: In the Han dynasty, there was Shangshu Mi Zhong; in the Song dynasty, there was Mi You.
A compound surname. Heshi Xingyuan: There is the Mimao clan, who are people of Langye. There are also the Mige clan and the Mixu clan.
Also rhymes with mei. Jiang Yan: Eulogy for Emperor Gao of Qi (Qi Gaodi Lei): The Song ruler passed away and traveled far, and the music in the purple palace ceased. His dying words and decrees were left to the talented and pure.
Jiyun: Sometimes written as a simplified form, or the common form mi.