Xu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Metal (jīn) Qian Kangxi strokes: 13 Page 1301, Entry 01 Pronounced qian. As defined in the Shuowen Jiezi (Shuowen), it refers to the use of iron to forcibly bind. The character is formed with Metal as the radical and Gan as the phonetic component. In the Annals of Emperor Gao of the Former Han (Qianhan), it is written that he shaved his hair and wore an iron collar to become a servant to the royal family. The commentary states that qian refers to an iron collar placed around the neck. In the Annals of Emperor Guangwu of the Later Han (Houhan), it refers to the removal of neck shackles and crimson garments. The commentary notes that according to the Cangjie Pian, qian refers to foot shackles; foot shackles bind the feet, and neck shackles bind the neck. In the Treatise on the Five Elements (Wuxingzhi), it mentions that criminals in Guanghan plotted to attack the prison. The commentary by Shigu states that qianzi refers to prisoners subjected to the punishment of wearing iron collars. According to the Jin Code (Jinlü), a neck collar weighed two catties, with the upright portion measuring one foot and five inches in length. In the Jiyun (Jiyun), it is sometimes written as a variant form (zuan). It also refers to the act of gripping or extracting. In the Biography of Liang Ji of the Later Han (Houhan), it describes his wife, Sun Shou, as having a jealous and vicious nature. The commentary explains that qian here means to grip or pinch, implying that her nature of harming others is like a pair of tongs gripping an object. According to the Fangyan (Fangyan) by Yang Xiong (Yangzi), it also carries the meaning of being vicious or malicious. In the region of Southern Chu, any malicious cursing of others is called qian. In the Family Sayings of Confucius (Jiayu), it advises not to select those who are false and insincere. The commentary explains that qianqian refers to conduct that is deceitful and dishonest. In the Master Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals (Lüshi Chunqiu), it describes crops that have missed the proper agricultural season as having thin stalks and long hemp fibers, with short ears, thick husks, and small grains that taste astringent and lack fragrance. It also refers to the name of a lake. In the Southern Capital Rhapsody (Nanfu) by Zhang Heng, it mentions that the ponds and lakes of that region include Qianlu and Yuchi. It is also used as a surname. According to the Zhengzitong, there was a magistrate of Chang'an County named Qian'er during the Yuanhe era of the Tang dynasty. It is interchangeable with the character (qian). In the Biography of Yuan Shao of the Later Han (Houhan), it is described that when people met on the road, they could only communicate with their eyes, and officials kept their mouths closed. The commentary explains this as using a wooden stick to plug their mouths. It is sometimes written as (qian). Pronounced qian. According to the Jiyun, it is pronounced qian. The meaning is the same. According to the Jiyun, it is pronounced an. This refers to the edge of a blade. Verification: Regarding the meaning of extraction. The text mentions the Biography of Liang Ji, where the commentary notes that qian means to grip. The text stated that her nature of harming others is like tongs that can extract things. Note: In the commentary of the Book of Han (Hanshu), the original text used the character (zhe), pronounced zhe or nie, which refers to the act of pulling out hair. The character (zui) refers to a type of awl and differs in meaning from the gripping function of qian. Therefore, the text has been corrected to read (zhe) and (zhe wu) accordingly.