Xu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Metal (jīn) Character: Nao Kangxi Stroke Count: 20 Page 1321, Entry 30 Pronounced nao. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it is a small bell. By military law, a platoon leader carries a nao. The Jade Chapter (Yupian) states that it resembles a bell but has no clapper, used in the military. Explaining Names (Shiming) states that the sound of the nao is clamorous. The Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Earth Officer, Drummer: Use the metal nao to stop the drumming. Commentary: The nao is like a bell, without a clapper, with a handle; it is held and rung to stop the beating of drums. It is also used in playing music. Record of Music (Yueji): The beginning is played with wen, and the end is played with wu. Commentary: Wen refers to the drum; wu refers to the metal instrument. When the nao music begins, the drum is struck first; luan means the end. The sound of the drum is yang, hence it is called wen. The sound of the nao is yin, hence it is called wu. Wen begins it, and wu brings it to a close, meaning the rhythm is appropriate. According to the Illustrated Antiquities (Bogutu), there are two Han dynasty dance nao, shaped round at the top and square at the bottom, with open lattice work at the base, containing a copper pellet inside; this is called a tongue drum, which makes a sound when moved. Also, there is the nao song, which refers to the drum and fife music used in the military. Also interchangeable with the character nao (meaning to clamor). According to the History of the Later Han (Houhanshu), Treatise on the Five Elements, in a nursery rhyme: This year is still acceptable, the year after next will be clamorous. Note: In the Comprehensive Customs (Fengsu Tong), it is written as nao (meaning to clamor). Also, in the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun) and Orthography of Rhymes (Zhengyun), pronounced nao (falling tone), same as nao (to disturb). Zhuangzi, Chapter on the Way of Heaven: Nothing in the ten thousand things is sufficient to disturb the heart. Textual Research: In the Rites of Zhou, Earth Officer, Sealer, change to Drummer according to the original text.