Wei Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Silk (mì) Kangxi Strokes: 12 Page 924, Entry 03 Pronounced si. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it is what is produced by silkworms. According to the Commentary on the Quick Literacy Primer (Jijiu Pian Zhu), the act of extracting fine threads from cocoons is called si. Book of Documents (Shujing), Tribute of Yu: Their tribute includes lacquer and silk. Book of Odes (Shijing), Shao South: Five bundles of white silk. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Offices of Heaven, Grand Administrator: The wife oversees the management of silk and hemp. Rites of Zhou, Office of Silk: Responsible for receiving silk and distinguishing its types. Zuo Commentary (Zuozhuan), Fourth Year of Duke Yin: Like managing silk and causing it to become tangled. Also, Rites of Zhou, Offices of Spring, Grand Master: All are disseminated using the eight musical sounds: metal, stone, earth, leather, silk, wood, gourd, and bamboo. Commentary: Silk refers to the zither and lute. Also, Book of Rites (Liji), Dark Robes: The words of the king are like silk. Commentary: Fine and delicate like a silk thread. Five Classics Characters (Wujing Wenzi): The character for silk is written as a compound, which is incorrect. Dictionary of Rhymes (Yunhui): The simplified form is a common error. Note: In the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters, silk is its own radical; now it is merged into this one.