Xu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Metal (jīn) Kangxi stroke count: 12 Page 1298, Entry 20 Pronounced sa (rising tone). Shuowen Jiezi (Explaining Single-component Characters and Analyzing Compound Characters) defines this as a type of spear-like weapon. Lu Yun's Letter Responding to Che Anmao states: Raising the spear-like weapon can form clouds, lowering the spear-like weapon can bring rain. Guangyun (Broad Rhymes) records the term sa lou. Liushu Gu (Explanations of the Six Principles of Writing) explains: Fine carvings of gold and silver in patterns are called sa lou. Guoshi Bu (Supplement to the National History) records: The four great noble families—the Zheng family of Xingyang, the Lu family of Gangtou, the Li family of Zedi, and the Cui family of Tumen—all produced top scholars in the imperial examinations. The Wang family of Taiyuan could compete with these four clans and was known at the time as the sa lou Wang family, a metaphor for the family being as luxurious as gold and silver ornaments. Pronounced se (entering tone). Guangyun (Broad Rhymes) explains this as a type of halberd, also referring to a short spear. Jiyun (Collection of Rhymes) notes this character is sometimes written in a variant form (sha). It is also written in a variant form (ta). Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Biography of Lord Shang, records: Guards holding spears and wielding halberds running alongside the carriage. Note: ta is also written as this character. Pronounced xi (falling-rising tone). Pronounced xi (entering tone). Meaning is the same. Pronounced sa (entering tone). Refers to a small blade.