Chen Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Bad (dǎi) Kangxi Strokes: 15 Page 583, Entry 06 Pronounced shang. Refers to a death occurring before reaching adulthood. Book of Rites (Liji), Commentary on Mourning Garments (Sangfu Zhuan): Dying between the ages of sixteen and nineteen is called long shang (major premature death); dying between twelve and fifteen is called zhong shang (middle premature death); dying between eight and eleven is called xia shang (minor premature death); dying at seven or younger is called wu fu zhi shang (premature death without mourning attire); those born less than three months are not considered shang. Also, Book of Rites (Liji), Tan Gong: The people of the Zhou dynasty used the coffins of the Yin-Shang people to bury those who died as long shang; they used the brick-lined tomb chambers of the Xia dynasty to bury those who died as zhong shang and xia shang; they used the earthen coffins of the Youyu clan to bury those who died as wu fu zhi shang. Also, Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Earth Office, Office of the Mediator (Meishi): Prohibits marriage ceremonies for those who die as minors. Commentary: Shang refers to those nineteen years of age or younger. Also a type of posthumous title. Jizhong Zhoushu (Lost Book of Zhou): A short life and untimely death without reaching adulthood is called shang; an untimely death before establishing a family is called shang. Also, the spirits of those who die in state service without leaving descendants are called guo shang (state premature death). Songs of Chu (Chuci) contains a chapter titled State Premature Death.