Si Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Ox (niú) Kangxi Strokes: 7 Page 697, Entry 11 Tang Rhymes (Tangyun), Collection Rhymes (Jiyun), Rhyme Compilation (Yunhui), Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun): Pronounced mu (falling tone), same pronunciation as mu (rising tone). Shuowen Jiezi (Explaining Simple and Compounding Characters): Refers to a male animal. The character is formed by the radical for ox and the phonetic component for soil (tǔ). Book of Odes (Shijing), Odes of Bei (Beifeng): The wild pheasant cries, seeking its male mate. Commentary (Zhuan): In birds, sex is referred to as female and male; in beasts, sex is referred to as female (pìn) and male (mǔ). Notes (Jian): A metaphor for someone pursuing that which they ought not to pursue. Sub-commentary (Shu): The female pheasant cries, yet calls out seeking the male of the beasts; this is contrary to reason. Also, Book of Rites (Liji), Tan Gong: Refers to mourning headbands made of male hemp fibers. Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial (Yili), Transmission of Mourning Apparel (Sangfu Zhuan): Male hemp is the same as male nettle-hemp (xǐ). Also, History of the Former Han Dynasty (Qian Hanshu), Treatise on Suburban Sacrifices (Jiaosi Zhi): Use vitex (mǔjīng) to paint banners and flags, decorated with the sun, moon, Big Dipper, and flying dragons. Annotation (Zhu): Li Qi states: Use vitex as the handle for the banner. Ru Chun states: Vitex is the variety of chaste tree that does not bear fruit. Jin Zhuo states: Male (mǔ) refers to the joints being asymmetrical. During a lunar halo, one carves it into a talisman to heal the sick. Also, History of the Former Han Dynasty (Qian Hanshu), Treatise on Astronomy (Tianwen Zhi): At the Zhangcheng Gate of Chang'an, the door bolt (mǔ) went missing of its own accord. Annotation (Zhu): Yan Shigu states: The bolt (mǔ) is the object used to lock a door from the inside. Made of iron. Also, Muqiu, a place name. Spring and Autumn Annals (Chunqiu), 15th Year of Duke Xi: Alliance meeting held at Muqiu. Also, the name of a mountain. Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing): Mount Mu, on which many patterned stones are produced. Also, Collection Rhymes (Jiyun): Pronounced mu (rising tone), same pronunciation as mu (rising tone). The male of birds is also called mǔ. Collection Rhymes (Jiyun): Sometimes also written in a variant form.