Wu Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Vessel (mǐn) Kangxi strokes: 5 Page 792, Entry 33 Pronounced ming (rising tone). As defined in the Analytical Dictionary of Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to a vessel for food. According to the Expanded Rhymes (Zengyun), it is a type of dish or plate. In the Zuo Tradition (Zuozhuan), during the first year of Duke Zhao, it is written that the character for vessel combined with the character for insect forms the word for a poisonous parasite. The commentary notes that this refers to a vessel. In the Mencius (Mengzi), there is a reference to sacrificial animals and vessels. The commentary notes that this refers to an item used to cover other vessels. Additionally, according to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), it is pronounced meng, with the same meaning. The Analytical Dictionary of Characters (Shuowen Jiezi) states it is a pictographic character, sharing the same origin as the character for bean. It is pronounced like the word for fierce. The Collected Gems (Peiji) notes that the Analytical Dictionary of Characters only provides the pronunciation meng, and that providing a different pronunciation now is incorrect.