Si Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Water (shuǐ) Entry: 漚 (ou) Kangxi Strokes: 15 Page 646, Entry 01 Pronounced ou (falling tone) According to the Analytical Dictionary of Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to soaking for a long period. Book of Odes (Shijing), Chen Airs: At the east gate are the pools, which can be used to soak hemp. Commentary: The term refers to making something soft. Correct Meaning: The commentary on the Record of Trades (Kaogongji) states that this refers to gradual soaking. People in the Chu region call it soaking. The reference here to softening through soaking means to gradually soak something to make it supple. Also refers to rich, fragrant scents. Sima Xiangru, Rhapsody on the Shanglin Park: Fragrant and dense. Sometimes written in the variant form (wo). Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Winter Officials, Record of Trades: Use thick juice to soak the silk. Note: The character (wo) is the same as this character. Pronounced ou Refers to water bubbles. Shurangama Sutra (Lengyan Jing): Void space arises within the Great Enlightenment, like a bubble in the vast ocean. Also used interchangeably with the character for seagull (ou). Liezi, Yellow Emperor Chapter: There was a man by the sea who was fond of seagulls.