Chen Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Sun (rì) 昇 Kangxi stroke count: 8 Page 491, Entry 02 Pronounced sheng Shuowen Jiezi (Shuowen): The sun rising. In ancient times, only the character升 was used. Zhengzitong (Zhengzitong): 昇 indicates a steady ascent. Leipian (Leipian): Sometimes also written in a variant form (sheng).