Wu Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Animal track (ròu) Kangxi stroke count: 5 Page 848, Entry 01 Pronounced rou (rising tone). According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to the footprints of beasts on the ground. It is an ideograph based on the sound jiu. In the Er Ya, Explanation of Beasts (Er Ya, Shishou), it states: The raccoon dog, fox, badger, and raccoon cat have paws, and their tracks are called rou. The commentary notes that the paw is the sole. These four types of beasts all have paws, and the places where their toes touch the ground are called rou. Also pronounced niu (rising tone), as read by Lu Deming in the Er Ya, Explanation of Beasts (Er Ya, Shishou). According to the Correcting Characters (Zhengzitong), the seal script for this character originally had three strokes. Old editions followed a common erroneous form with the character si, placing it under five strokes, which is incorrect. According to the New Supplements to the Seal Script by Xu Xuan, it is written as a variant form (rou); the Correcting Errors (Zheng'e) rejects this as a vulgar character. Regarding the Qin Airs (Qin Feng) in the Book of Odes (Shijing) referencing the qiu spear, Lu Deming states: qiu is pronounced qiu. Zheng's commentary notes: it is a spear with three corners. The Collected Characters (Zihui) states that rou is pronounced rou (rising tone). It also claims it is the same as qiu, which is also incorrect.