Wei Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Plow (lěi) Kangxi Strokes: 15 Page 964, Entry 06 Pronounced ou. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen), a plow blade five inches wide is called a fa, and two fa are called a ou. Book of Odes (Shijing): Also apply yourselves to plowing, ten thousand men work in pairs. Commentary (Jian): The plowshare is five inches wide, and two plowshares constitute a pair. In one valley there are ten thousand men, hence ten thousand pairs. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Winter Official, Record of Artisans (Kaogongji): Two plowshares make a pair. The tillage of one pair is one foot wide and one foot deep. Sub-commentary (Shu): Two men plowing constitutes a pair. By extension, any two people form a pair. Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), 29th Year of Duke Xiang: Three pairs of archers. Commentary (Zhu): Two people make a pair. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Heavenly Official, Master of the Lodgings (Zhangci): When shooting, arrange the pairing tents. Commentary (Zhu): Pairs refers to those who ascend to shoot together. Sub-commentary (Shu): The Son of Heaven conducts the great archery with six pairs at the western suburb. Guest archery also uses six pairs in the court. Banquet archery uses three pairs in the sleeping quarters. Also see the entry for the Official in Charge of Archery (Sheren): The King uses six pairs, feudal lords use four, and high officials and ministers use three. Zhuangzi, Discourse on Making All Things Equal (Qiwulun): Silent and vacant, as if having lost his partner. Also means a match or a spouse. Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), 6th Year of Duke Huan: People each have a spouse; the state of Qi is great, not a match for us. 3rd Year of Duke Xuan: Shi Gui said: I have heard that the Ji and Ji clans are a pair, their descendants will surely flourish. Commentary (Zhu): It is appropriate for the Ji surname to be a spouse to the Ji surname. Also, according to the Explaining Names (Shiming), it means to encounter. History of the Former Han (Qianhan), Annals of Emperor Gaozu: Those who speak in pairs shall be executed in the market. Commentary (Zhu): Pairs refers to speaking in groups. Also, according to the Jade Chapters (Yupian), it means not being odd. Book of Changes (Yi), Appended Statements (Xici): The Yang trigrams are odd, the Yin trigrams are paired. Commentary (Zhu): Yang trigrams have two Yin lines, thus the odd line is their sovereign. Yin trigrams have two Yang lines, thus the pair is their master. Also means to connect. Huainanzi, Summary of Essentials (Yaolue): Therefore, to respond to all directions and understand the hundred variations of connection. Commentary (Zhu): Pairing means connecting. Also a place name. Liezi, Record of Talismans (Shuofu): Niu Que was a great scholar of the Shang territory. While traveling down to Handan, he encountered robbers in the midst of Ousha. Also a personal name. Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), 15th Year of Duke Wen: Hua Ou of the Song state came to form an alliance, and his officials all followed him. Commentary (Zhu): Ou was the great-grandson of Hua Du. Also a surname. Five Sounds Collection of Rhymes (Wuyin Jiyun): In the Han dynasty there was a Palace Attendant named Ou Jia. Also, in rhyme supplements, it rhymes with ni. Book of Odes (Shijing), Week Eulogies (Zhousong): Splendidly develop your private fields, for thirty miles around. Also apply yourselves to plowing, ten thousand men work in pairs. Also rhymes with yu. Chu Ci, Nine Longings (Jiusi): I spoke of departing and heading north, calling my friend to be a spouse. The day is overcast and without light, quiet and hidden, nothing to be seen. Textual Verification: Book of Odes (Shijing), Week Eulogies (Zhousong): Also apply yourselves to plowing, ten thousand men work in pairs. Commentary (Jian): The plowshare is five inches wide, three plowshares make a pair. Correction: In accordance with the original text, three plowshares has been changed to two plowshares.