Zi Collection, Page Position: Lower Radical: Mouth (kǒu) Page 180, Entry 01 According to the Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun), the character for historian was written as a variant form in ancient times. Detailed annotations can be found under the entry for Radical: Mouth (kǒu), two strokes. The Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi) interprets it as: one who records events. The character structure uses the radical for again (yòu), which depicts a hand, to indicate holding a center (zhōng). The character center (zhōng) signifies impartiality and remaining upright. Xu Xuan adds that the recording of history should be based on the principle of impartiality.