Wei Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Silk (mì) Character: xie Kangxi Stroke Count: 21 Page 942, Entry 31 Pronounced xie. According to the Explaining and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it means to tie or knot. According to the Jade Chapter (Yupian), it refers to variegated silk patterns. According to the Classified Chapters (Leipian), it refers to tying, specifically the process of binding silk fabric to dye it into patterns. Li He's poetry: Tipsy with wine, throwing out red nets with knotted patterns. Du Muzhi's poetry: Flower gardens and round palace silk patterns.