Yin Collection, Middle Volume. Radical: Self (jǐ). Kangxi stroke count: 3. Page 326, Entry 12. Pronounced xiang. Pronounced xiang. Pronounced xiang. The pronunciation is similar to the word for already. Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Simple and Compound Characters): This character signifies the meaning of already. In the fourth month, the solar energy has already appeared, while the yin energy has become hidden. All things form magnificent patterns, therefore this character represents the snake and is a pictograph. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Treatise on the Pitch Pipes (Lüshu): The meaning of this character is that the solar energy has reached its end. History of the Former Han (Qian Hanshu), Treatise on Pitch Pipes and the Calendar (Lülizhi): In the chen hour, things vibrate and flourish, and by the si hour, they reach their peak. Shiming (Explanation of Names): This character is equivalent to already, like going out to accomplish something and returning once it is finished. Yupian (Jade Chapters): Indicates succession and rising. Erya (Approaching Elegance), Explaining the Heavens (Shitian): When the Tai Sui (Grand Duke Jupiter) moves to the position of this character, it is called the Great Desolation. Yunhui (Collection of Rhymes): Shangsi is the name of a festival. Han Shi Zhangju (Commentary on the Han Version of the Book of Odes): According to the customs of the State of Zheng, on the day of the first si in the third month, people would go to the Zhen and Wei rivers, holding orchids to summon the soul and dispel misfortune. Book of Song (Songshu), Treatise on Rites (Lizhi): From the Wei dynasty onward, only the third day of the month was used for the festival, regardless of whether it was a si day. Yunbu (Rhyme Supplement): In ancient times, the character used for the si in the si-wu cycle was also pronounced like the word for finished. Zengyun (Augmented Rhymes): Solar energy originates at the zi hour and concludes at the si hour. This character signifies conclusion or completion, symbolizing the shape of solar energy returning after reaching its peak, and thus it is also used as a character indicating that something is finished. Modern custom treats the form with a hook as the character for finished and the form without a hook as the character for the si in the zodiac, which is likely a misunderstanding of its original meaning.