Wei Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Silk (mì) Kangxi Strokes: 12 Page 924, Entry 01 Broad Rhymes (Guangyun), Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), Standard Rhymes (Zhengyun): Pronounced zong (falling tone). Explanation of Characters (Shuowen): Tong means to record or organize. Explication of Names (Shiming): Tong means a thread or beginning. It signifies the leading thread of human generations, where categories succeed one another like a connected lineage. Book of Documents (Shujing), Charge to Weizi (Weizi zhi ming): To inherit the lineage of the former kings and cultivate their rituals and objects. Commentary: To communicate with the three lineages (santong) of the contemporary kings. Sub-commentary: Heaven possesses three lineages, and the earth possesses three kings. The three kings are the means by which the world is brought under a single authority. Gongyang Commentary (Gongyang Zhuan), First Year of Duke Yin: It is the Great Unification (dayitong). Note: Tong means the beginning. It is a term for a comprehensive connection. Rhyme Collections (Yunhui): Pronounced tong (rising tone); Standard Rhymes (Zhengyun): Pronounced tong (rising tone). The meaning is the same. Book of Changes (Yijing), Hexagram Qian: Then it governs (tong) the heavens. Explication of the Text (Shiwen): Tong means the root or origin. Book of Documents (Shujing), Offices of Zhou (Zhouguan): The Grand Minister of State oversees the governance of the state and manages (tong) the hundred officials. Commentary: To manage and regulate the hundred officials. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Offices of Heaven, Grand Minister (Dazai): Use the eight principles (tong) to assist the King in governing the myriad people. Note: Tong means that which unites, leads, and classifies things. Discourses of Qi (Qiyu): To rank and order the hair and fur, establishing them as the principles (tong) and records for the people. Note: Tong is equivalent to a regular warp or standard. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Treatise on Music (Yueshu): Music unites (tong) and creates harmony. Note: Tong means to lead or command. Broad Rhymes (Guangyun): Also a surname. Standard Rhymes (Zhengyun): Pronounced tong (falling tone). The meaning is the same.