Chou Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Woman (nǚ) Kangxi strokes: 8 Page 258, Entry 16 Ancient characters include variants. Pronounced zhi. To begin. Book of Changes (Yijing), Hexagram Qian: Great is the source of the Qian, all things derive their beginning from it. Classic of Poetry (Shijing) Preface: This is known as the four beginnings. Annotation: These are the Airs, the two Elegantiae, and the Eulogies. History of the Former Han Dynasty (Qian Hanshu), Biography of Bao Xuan: The solar eclipse occurred at the three beginnings. Annotation: The first day of the year is the beginning of the year, the beginning of the month, and the beginning of the day. Beginning here is synonymous with dawn. Wang Bao, Eulogy on the Wise Ministers Obtained by the Holy Ruler: The Spring and Autumn Annals models the essentials of the five beginnings. Annotation: The source is the beginning of vitality. Spring is the beginning of the four seasons. The monarch is the beginning of receiving the mandate. The first month is the beginning of government and education. The ascension of a duke is the beginning of a state. Also refers to Seven Beginnings and Hua Beginnings, which are names of musical compositions. Meng Kang states: The Seven Beginnings are the beginnings of heaven, earth, humanity, and the four seasons. Hua Beginnings is the beginning of the essence of all things. History of the Han Dynasty (Hanshu), Ancestral Shrine Music Songs: The Seven Beginnings and Hua Beginnings, with solemn voices harmonizing. Also refers to Xunshi, a star name. History of the Former Han Dynasty (Qian Hanshu), Treatise on Astronomy: Xunshi emerges beside the Big Dipper. Sima Xiangru, Rhapsody on the Great Man: Hanging the Xunshi as a pendant. Also a mountain name. Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing): Mount Dongshi has much pale jade. Also a prefecture name. Belonged to Guanghan Commandery; the Wei dynasty changed it to Shi Prefecture. The Song dynasty renamed Longqing Prefecture to Shi Prefecture. Pronounced shi (falling tone). Mao Huang states: The beginning in origin and source is in the rising tone, such as the beginning of all things and the great beginning in the Book of Changes. The beginning indicating just starting to do something is in the falling tone, such as when the peaches begin to bloom and the cicadas begin to sing in the Monthly Ordinances (Yueling) of the Book of Rites (Liji).