Yin Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Roof (bù) 守 Kangxi stroke count: 6 Page 282, Entry 05 Ancient form. According to the Tang Rhyme (Tangyun), pronounced shou (rising tone). According to the Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun), the Rhyme Compilation (Yunhui), and the Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun), pronounced shou (rising tone). According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen): To guard is to hold an official position. Composed of the radical for roof, representing a government office. Composed of the inch radical, representing law and regulation. According to the Jade Chapters (Yupian): To collect, to look after, to protect. Book of Changes (Yijing), Appended Statements: By what means does one maintain a position? Through benevolence. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Offices of Heaven: The beast officer oversees the seasonal hunting, and for those who use nets, he maintains the guard. Commentary: To prevent beasts from colliding or attacking. Also, according to the Broad Rhymes (Guangyun): To be in charge of guarding. Zuo Tradition (Zuozhuan), Year 20 of Duke Zhao: Yan Zi said, for the trees of the mountains and forests, the Henglu guards them. For the reeds and rushes of the marshes, the Zhoujiao guards them. For the firewood and brush of the preserves, the Yu guards them. For the salt and clams of the sea, the Qi Wang guards them. Henglu and the others are all names of offices. Also, according to the Augmented Rhymes (Zengyun): To defend during an attack. Book of Changes (Yijing), Kan Hexagram: The king and dukes establish defenses to protect their state. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Biography of the Marquis of Liu: Blocking off three sides to defend. Also, according to the Tang Rhyme (Tangyun), Broad Rhymes (Guangyun), Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun), Rhyme Compilation (Yunhui), and Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun), pronounced shou (falling tone). According to the Augmented Rhymes (Zengyun): That which is guarded, or the object of one's guardianship, or acting as a guardian. When the Emperor tours the territories held by the feudal lords, it is called a royal inspection (xunshou). When a feudal lord guards the land for the Emperor, it is also called shou. The Han dynasty established the office of Grand Administrator (taishou). Also a surname. According to the Collection of Correct Characters (Zhengzitong): Song Shou Gong was a poetic friend of Su Shi. Also rhyming with shi (entering tone), pronounced shi. Songs of the South (Chuci), Heavenly Questions: The male serpent has nine heads, where do they suddenly go? What does it not grow old in, what does man guard? (In reference to the rhyme, the sound is like ci). Also rhyming with sui (falling tone), pronounced sui. History of the Former Han (Qianhan), Biographical Sketch of Ban Gu: Devoted to holding the responsibility of speech, strictly maintaining official duties. Treasure the established imperial mausoleum, possessing great ambition. Textual research: Zuo Tradition (Zuozhuan), Year 20 of Duke Zhao: Yan Zi said, for the trees of the mountains and forests, the Henglu guards them. Based on the original text, changed Henglu to Henglu. For the salt and clams of the sea, the Qi Wang guards them. Based on the original text, changed salt-clams and corrected the names of the offices accordingly.