Shen Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Clothing (yī) Character: Qū Kangxi Stroke Count: 11 Page 1115, Entry 08 Pronounced qū. According to the Shuowen Jiezi (Analytical Dictionary of Characters), it refers to the sleeve of a garment. Another interpretation is that the term implies holding or concealing something in the bosom. To hold in the bosom is to embrace. As noted in the Book of Odes (Shijing): Pulling at your sleeve. The commentary explains that the main body of the sleeve is the arm section, while the opening is the extremity of the sleeve. In the Book of Rites (Liji): A deep garment with three sleeve-widths. The commentary explains that this refers to the measurement of the waist circumference. The sleeve opening is one foot and two inches; doubling it makes two feet and four inches, and three times that measurement is seven feet and two inches. In the Zuo Tradition (Zuozhuan): Cut off his sleeve. It also refers to the sleeve opening. In the Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial (Yili): The sleeve opening is one foot and two inches. According to the Leipian (Classified Dictionary): It describes the appearance of lifting a sleeve. In the Han Dynasty External Commentary (Hanshi Waizhuan): Lord Mengchang lifted his clothing on the following day to request instruction. In the History of the Later Han (Houhanshu): Lifting the embroidered curtain to use the clear flowing water as a mirror. Also pronounced qù. The meaning is the same. The character for bosom was originally written with the radical for net, not as the form containing the radical for eye.