Xu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Gate (mén) Page 1340, Entry 06 Pronounced jue Explaining the characters (Shuowen Jiezi): A gateway tower. Xu (a scholar) states: The central part is missing to serve as a passage, therefore it is called que. Jade Almanac (Yupian): Resembles the Xiangwei que. Extensive Rhymes (Guangyun): A que is situated on both sides of a gate, with the center left open to serve as a path. Rectification of Rhymes (Zhengyun): A dual gate tower at a palace entrance. Rhyme Compendium (Yunhui): Two platforms built outside a gate with towers on top; the top is round and the bottom square. Because laws were hung there, it is called the Xiangwei (Symbolic Dimension). Xiang refers to the symbols of governance; Wei refers to its grand and towering appearance. This was done so the people could observe them, hence the name guan (observation tower). Two towers were built on either side, with no gate in between. The term also applies to palace gates, inner sleeping-quarter gates, and tomb gates. Ancient and Modern Notes (Gujin Zhu): Que means to observe. In ancient times, two towers were always erected in front of every gate to mark and display the palace entrance. One could reside in the top, and by climbing up, one could view distant places, hence the term guan. When a subordinate reached this spot, he would reflect on his own deficiencies, hence the term que. Book of Rites (Liji), Rites of the Palace (Shigong): To observe is called a que. Book of Odes (Shijing), Odes of Zheng: Soaring and high, at the city towers. Commentary: Riding along the city wall to view the towers. Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), Twenty-first Year of Duke Zhuang: The Earl of Zheng feasted the King west of the que. Commentary: Que refers to the Xiangwei. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Annals of Gaozu: Established the eastern and northern que. Also, Annals of Qin: Built the Ji que. Commentary: Liu Bozhuang states: Ji refers to the record of events, and que is the Xiangwei. Also, Extensive Rhymes (Guangyun): To lose or a transgression. Also, Collected Rhymes (Jiyun): To be lacking or empty. Also, Increased Rhymes (Zengyun): Disrespectful. Also, Jade Almanac (Yupian): Few. Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), Thirteenth Year of Duke Cheng: And wished to diminish (que) and cut our ducal house. Also, Extensive Rhymes (Guangyun): To fail to supply. Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), Fourth Year of Duke Xiang: Our small state is narrow and cramped, and by failing to supply (que) tribute, we have committed a crime. Commentary: Que means to fail to supply. Also, Increased Rhymes (Zengyun): Empty. Classic of Rites (Liji), Evolution of Rites (Liyun): The three and the five also have their waxings and wanings (que). Commentary: One waxing and one waning refers to the principle of contraction and expansion. Also, Increased Rhymes (Zengyun): A touring chariot used for reinforcements is called a you que. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Spring Offices: Master of the Military Chariots. Commentary: A que chariot is a chariot used for reinforcements. Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), Twelfth Year of Duke Xuan: Pan Dang led forty chariot-reinforcement units. Commentary: Touring chariots are those used for reinforcements. Also: Not fitting. Former Han History (Qian Han Shu), Biography of Wang Mang: Do not block retreating troops; surrounding a city is called a que. Commentary: This is a military term. Que means not fitting. Also: To destroy. Classic of Rites (Liji), Master Zeng's Questions: Entering from the que. Commentary: Que refers to a destroyed ancestral temple. Also, Rectification of Rhymes (Zhengyun): Que-di (pheasant-patterned robes), the attire of an empress, made with carved silk, not painted. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Heaven Offices, Inner Attire Supervisor: Managing the six sets of attire for the Queen: the Yu-yi, You-di, Que-di, Ju-yi, Zhan-yi, and Yuan-yi. Commentary: The Que-di has bird feather decorations. Book of Odes (Shijing), Odes of Wei: Commentary: The Yu-di and Que-di are robes decorated with feathers. Also: Name of a sword. Xunzi, On the Nature of Evil: Ganjiang, Moye, Juque, and Pilu; these are all excellent swords of antiquity. Also: Name of a state. Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), Fifteenth Year of Duke Zhao: The armor of Quegong. Commentary: Armor produced by the state of Quegong. Also: Name of a beast. Classic of Rites (Liji), Explanation of Beasts: The Quexie has many claws. Commentary: Quexie is a beast name. Its feet have many claws. Also: Name of a mountain. Former Han History (Qian Han Shu), Biography of Sima Xiangru: Leaving the garrison cavalry at the Que. Commentary: Que is a mountain at the North Pole. Also: Name of a pass. Strategies of the Warring States (Zhanguo Ce): Then rubbed the Yan and Wu and gathered at the Que, meeting to persuade the King of Zhao beneath the flowery hall. Commentary: Que is the name of a pass. Also, Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Annals of Zhou: Western Zhou was afraid and led elite troops from across the world to exit through Yique and attack Qin. Commentary: Kuodizhi states: It is located nineteen li south of Luozhou. Also, Extensive Rhymes (Guangyun): A surname. Originates from Xiapi. During the Han dynasty, there was a Jingzhou Inspector named Que Yu. Also, Rectification of Rhymes (Zhengyun): Also written as the character for bend (qu). Also, Rectification of Rhymes (Zhengyun): Pronounced jue. Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), First Year of Duke Yin: Ying Kaoshu said: If you dig (que) the earth until you reach the spring. Also, Twenty-first Year of Duke Xiang: In the heat of summer, they dug (que) the earth, lowered ice, and placed the bed there. Discourses of Wu (Wuyu): Dug (que) to make a stone rampart and blocked the Han River to emulate Emperor Shun. Commentary: Que means to dig. Guanzi, The Power of Mountains: In the northern suburbs, someone dug (que) and found a tortoise. Commentary: Digging into the earth until reaching a spring is called que. Also, Rhyme Supplement (Yunbu): Rhymes as kuai. Cheng Xiao, Gift Poem for Fu: Upon the first wearing of the adult cap, all ten thousand blessings gather. Brilliant is the main gate, solemn is the crimson tower (que). Also rhymes as qie. Ban Gu, Northern Expedition Eulogy: Thunder shook the Nine Springs, lightning shone upon the high tower (que). Gold light mirrored the wild, martial banners obscured the sun. Also rhymes as que. Zheng Qianji, Gift Poem to Lu Yun: The heavenly gate opens the lock. May the wise utilize this, may the Emperor hear the petitions (que).