Ancient form: According to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), pronounced tian (rising tone). The meaning is to use the tongue to hook or gather objects. The Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi) interprets it as the shape of a tongue. The character form is derived from an abbreviated version of the character for valley, making it a pictographic character. The Essential Essence (Jingyun) states that this character represents the tongue outside of the mouth, exposing the tip to lick objects. There are people in the world who excel at manipulation, using words to hook and probe others; Mencius condemned such behavior as the base conduct of someone drilling holes and climbing over walls. Also, according to the Jade Chapters (Yupian), the Tang Rhymes (Tangyun), and the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), the pronunciation is tian (falling tone). The meaning is the same as the previous entry. Note: This character is now commonly written as the character for licked food. Zi Collection, Page Position: Upper Radical: Tongue (tiǎn) Page 85, Entry 02