Chen Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Tree (mù) Character: Xiao Kangxi stroke count: 9 Page 517, Entry 09 Pronounced xiao. According to the Explanation of Graphs and Analysis of Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to a tree root that is hollow. It also means empty. In the Zuo Tradition of the Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals (Zuo Zhuan): When the year is in the Xingji star position, it extends into the Yuanxiao. Du Yu note: Yuanxiao is synonymous with emptiness. Xu states that according to the Erya, the empty star corresponds to the position of the Rat; xiao is a name for emptiness and depletion. Trees in the north are all hollow, and since they come from the wood element and have a black color, it is called yuan. Du Yu states: Yuanxiao covers three star mansions, and the empty star is located among them. In the Rites of Zhou (Zhouli): The Baozhang official uses the star fields to distinguish the territories of the Nine Provinces. Zheng note: Yuanxiao refers to Qi, which is the field of the Qing province. According to the Zhengzitong: When objects are exhausted or diminished, it is called xiao; when a person is hungry, it is called xiao belly (an empty stomach).