Chen Collection, Middle Volume. Radical: Tree (mù). Kangxi stroke count: 14. Page 546, Entry 09.
Tang Rhymes (Tangyun): Pronounced qiang (level tone). Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), Rhymes Compilation (Yunhui), and Orthodox Rhymes (Zhengyun): Pronounced qiang (level tone).
Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen): Means to resist or oppose.
Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Autumn Office, Supervisor of Metals (Zhijin): When the state faces major disasters, if metal and stone are to be used (to create weapons), he oversees the relevant commands. Commentary: The use of metal and stone refers to the making of things like spears (qiang), maces, clubs, and iron-tipped staffs.
Yang Xiong, Rhapsody on the Longyang (Changyang Fu): Using wood, sharp stakes, and ropes stacked up to serve as defensive fortifications.
Jade Chapters (Yupian): Refers to wood that is sharpened at both ends.
Categorized Chapters (Leipian): Sharpened wood used for protection against thieves is called a spear (qiang). It is also described as a type of implement. See the commentary under the character (nong).
Also means to touch or strike.
History of the Former Han (Qianhan), Biography of Lu Wenshu: Upon seeing the prison official, he struck his head against the ground.
History of the Former Han (Qianhan), Treatise on Astronomy: The stars to the left of the Purple Forbidden Enclosure are called the Heavenly Spear (Tianqiang).
Also a surname. Surname Garden (Xingyuan): There was a person named Qiang Chuan during the Han dynasty.
Also in Collected Rhymes (Jiyun) and Rhymes Compilation (Yunhui): Pronounced zheng (level tone). Orthodox Rhymes (Zhengyun): Pronounced zheng (level tone).
Erya, Exegesis of Heaven: A comet is called a chanqiang.
Also rhymes as qiang (level tone).
Song dynasty, Xie Zhan, Poem on Zhang Zifang: Within the curtained tent his strategies were profound, and the glorious imperial enterprise flourished. The banquet at Hongmen eliminated the crisis (like a solar eclipse), and the battle at Gaixia swept away the calamity (like a comet).
Textual Research: Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Autumn Office, Officer of Lodgings (Zhishe): When the state faces major disasters, if metal and stone are used, he oversees their command. According to the original text, Zhishe has been corrected to Zhijin.