Chou Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Enclosure (wéi) Kangxi Strokes: 12 Page 220, Entry 01 Ancient character for enclosure. Pronounced wei. From Tang Rhymes (Tangyun) and Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), meaning to guard. Also, to surround. Book of Changes (Yijing), Appended Statements: Encompassing heaven and earth without exceeding them. Commentary: Comprehensive preparation. Fan is like a mold for metal; wei is an outer boundary. Also, Book of Odes (Shijing), Shang Eulogies: The Emperor commanded to take the nine regions as a model. Commentary: Dividing the world into nine areas as if drawing a boundary. Also, to encircle. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Summer Offices, Notes on the Circle Official: To circle is the same as to enclose. It refers to surrounding guests and providing them with a defensive guard. Also, to block off and capture animals. Book of Rites (Liji), Summary of Rites: The ruler does not conduct a hunt by encirclement in the marshes during spring. Commentary: Because spring is the season for growth, one should not enclose and capture all wildlife. Also, Royal Regulations: The Son of Heaven does not complete a full encirclement. Commentary: Meaning he does not surround them on all four sides. Also, to besiege a city. Spring and Autumn Annals (Chunqiu), Notes on the Summary: Surrounding a walled city is called a siege. Also, Rites of Zhou, Spring Offices, Grand Minister of Rites: With the gathering ritual to mourn those who suffered in a siege or defeat. Commentary: Refers to a state being besieged and invaded, suffering loss and ruin, having lost wealth and resources. Allied states would gather their own wealth and goods to give to them to replace what was lost. Also, Collection of Rhymes (Yunhui): Five inches is one circumference; one arm-span is one circumference. Zhuangzi, In the World of Men: The oak, a sacred tree, is large enough to shade an ox. Measuring its girth, it is one hundred spans. It is useless wood, which is why it lives a long time. Also, the name of a district. Records of Commanderies and States in the Later Han (Houhan Junuozhi): Wei District, belonging to Wuwei Commandery, Liang Province. Also used interchangeably with the character for leather (wei). History of the Former Han (Qianhanji), Annals of Emperor Cheng: A great wind uprooted trees, those ten spans or more in girth. Also used interchangeably with the character for defense (wei). Guanzi, On the Earth's Resources: If mountain orache and reeds abound, and various medicinal herbs gather, they will protect against pests. Commentary: Wei is the same as defend. Also, pronounced wei (falling tone). To wrap around.