Wei Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Silk (mì) 絃 Kangxi stroke count: 11 Page 921, Entry 11 Pronounced xián. The Five Classics Text (Wujing wenzi) states: The characters for the strings of a zither (qin) and a lute (se) are written as the character for string (xian). Using the other character for string (xian) to write this word is incorrect. Note: In the classics, the characters for string (xian) are used interchangeably. Book of Rites (Liji), Record of Music (Yueji): The zithers in the Clear Temple (Qingmiao) have red strings and sparse openings. Analects (Lunyu): Hearing the sound of stringed instruments and singing. Pronounced xuàn. Extensive Glossary (Guangya): Cord or plain silk. People today pronounce it as hu-yan, which is a mistake. All strings for bows, crossbows, zithers, and lutes are formed with the bow radical.