Wu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Jade (yù) Kangxi Strokes: 15 Page 738, Entry 23 Pronounced suo. Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Writing): The sound of jade. Also, jade powder. Also, fine or small. Commentary on Xunzi, Chapter on Denouncing the Twelve Philosophers: Acts of espionage are called suo. Biography of Sima Xiangru in the Book of Han (Hanshu): Why be restricted to trifles and constrained by literary rhetoric and worldly customs? Zhongchang Tong, Poem on Expressing Ambitions: Since ancient times, things twist and turn, winding like linked chains. Book of Odes (Shijing), Odes of Wei: Young and beautiful, those scattered and displaced. Commentary: Suowei describes the appearance of being young, small, and beautiful. Also, suosuo describes a state of being complicated, trivial, and humble. Erya (Approaching Elegance), Explaining Words: Suosuo means small. Commentary: Talent and capacity are slight and vulgar. I Ching (Book of Changes), The Wanderer Hexagram: In the midst of travel, appearing humble and trivial. Subcommentary: Suosuo signifies a small, base, and lowly appearance. Book of Odes (Shijing), Lesser Odes: Regarding trivial marital relations, do not bestow high official ranks or generous salaries. Commentary: Suosuo means a tiny, insignificant appearance. Also, Guangya (Expanded Elegance): Suo means to connect. Also, a place name. Zuo Zhuan (Chronicle of Zuo), Eleventh Year of Duke Xiang: The armies of the feudal lords were stationed at Suo. Commentary: There is a Suohou Pavilion west of the county. Also, qingsuo is the name of a gate. Under the administrative system of the Han dynasty, officials serving in the Yellow Gate would enter the palace at dusk and pay respects at the Qingsuo Gate, earning the title of Sunset Official. Qu Yuan, Li Sao (Encountering Sorrow): Wishing to pause for a moment at this divine gate, but the sun is hurriedly setting. Commentary: Suo refers to carvings on a gate. The patterns resemble linked chains; it is the portal of the Chu king’s palace. One interpretation is that it is a place where spirits reside. The Suo gate is decorated with green carvings. Biography of Empress Dowager Yuan in the Book of Han (Hanshu): Presumptuously using the red steps and Qingsuo Gate reserved for the Emperor. Commentary: Painting the hollowed-out carvings on the door frames green is the protocol for the Son of Heaven. Ru Chun stated: The lintel grid has two layers like a human collar, and the inner layer is green, called Qingsuo, the standard for the Emperor’s gate. Yan Shigu stated: Qingsuo consists of carvings in the shape of linked chains, painted with green. Also, generally, any object carved with hollow, intertwined, or linked patterns is called suo. It does not refer only to carvings on gates. Zuo Si, Rhapsody on the Capital of Wu: Entirely carved with linked chain patterns. Also refers to frontier matters. Biography of Bing Ji in the Book of Han (Hanshu): Investigating border officials and recording their individual entries. Commentary: Suo means to record. Su Shi, Poetry: Discussing military affairs until old age, all committed to frontier record-keeping. Also, a place name. Spring and Autumn Annals (Chunqiu), Twelfth Year of Duke Cheng: Duke Cheng of Lu met with the Duke of Jin and the Duke of Wei at Suoze. Also, a surname. Zhengzitong (Comprehensive Dictionary): Suo Zheng, a successful candidate in the imperial examinations during the Zhenghe era of the Song dynasty. Also, a personal name. Book of Rites (Liji), Tan Gong: Xianzi Suo spoke. Commentary: Suo is the name of Xianzi. Also, sometimes written in a variant form (suǒ). Book of Jin (Jinshu), Biography of Xi Zuochi: Humble and trivial, currently displaced.