Mao Collection, Middle Volume
Radical: Hand (shǒu)
Kangxi stroke count: 12
Page 437, Entry 16
Pronounced qian.
Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Simple and Compound Characters): To be firm.
Erya (Approaching Elegance), Interpretation of Ancient Terms: To be thick.
Also pronounced qian. Meaning is the same. Also means to pull away. Interchangeable with the character for pull.
Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), House of Zheng: Duke Xiang of Zheng, with shoulders bared, pulled a sheep to welcome them.
Zhuangzi, Xu Wugui: If the ruler intends to dismiss desires and pull away from likes and dislikes, then the ears and eyes will suffer.
Also means to hold. To strike.
Also pronounced qian (falling tone). To draw, to pull. Commonly written in a variant form.
Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Simple and Compound Characters): Read like the word for red shoes in the Book of Odes (Shijing), appearing as qian qian.
Xu Xuan says: Now it is written differently as qian, which is incorrect. Note: In the Binfeng section of the Book of Odes (Shijing), it appears as ji ji. Shuowen Jiezi may have had other sources for its reading. The Changjian commentary states: The phrase qian qian appears to be from a lost poem, which seems far-fetched.