Chou Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Woman (nǚ) Wife Kangxi strokes: 8 Page 257, Entry 30 Ancient form. Pronounced qi. According to the Explaining and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), a wife is one who is equal to oneself. From the Book of Odes (Shijing), Odes of Bei: If a gentleman takes a wife, let it be before the ice melts. Also, excellent wife, meaning a virtuous wife. From the Book of Odes (Shijing), Odes of Lu: Excellent wife and long-lived mother. Also, one refers to one's wife as one's fellow villager. From the History of the Southern Dynasties (Nan Shi), Biography of Zhang Biao: Calling one's wife, he said, I cannot bear to let my fellow villager fall into another place. Yao Kuan says: This is similar to how people of Kuaiji refer to their wives as one in the home. Also, according to the Commentary on the Lotus Sutra (Lianjing Zhu), the Buddha had a wife named Yashodhara. Also, pronounced zi (level tone). The meaning is the same. Also, pronounced qi (falling tone). To give a daughter in marriage to someone is called to wife him. From the Analects (Lunyu): He gave his daughter to him as a wife. It is also said that a wife is one who is joined in partnership. A husband is heaven. Therefore, in the character for husband, it is upright, while in the character for wife, it is tilted.