Xu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Gate (mén) Kangxi Strokes: 12 Page 1332, Entry 03 Ancient characters. Pronounced jian. Shuowen Jiezi (Shuowen): A gap. Composed of Gate and Moon. An associative compound, also functioning as a pictograph. Xu Kai says: The gate is closed at night. When closed, moonlight is seen through it; this is what is meant by a gap (xian). Book of Rites (Liji), Record of Music (Yueji): The alternation of movement and stillness is the gap (xian) between Heaven and Earth. Zhuangzi, Mountain Tree (Shanmu pian): I, Zhou, will reside in the gap (xian) between the useful and the useless. Also: Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Biography of Guo Jie: In Luoyang, there were two people in a feud. The virtuous and powerful of the city stayed in the middle (xian) to mediate, numbering in the tens, but they would not listen. Commentary: To stay in the middle and use other means to harmonize and reconcile them. Discourses of the States (Zhouyu): Our former king, Bu Zhu, lost his office and situated himself in the gap (xian) between the Rong and Di tribes. Also: To accommodate. Book of Rites (Liji), The Royal Estate of King Wen (Wenwang Shizi): All those who wait to sit before the Grand Director of Education, whether near or far, leave a gap (xian) of three mats. Commentary: Xian means to accommodate. History of the Former Han (Qianhan), Annals of Emperor Wen: I wish to request a gap (xian). Commentary by Shigu: Xian means to accommodate. It is similar to saying in-between. To request a moment of leisure to have something to say. Also: Leisure. Shiming: Xian means leisure. When tasks and work are reduced. Also: The sound of a carriage. Book of Odes (Shijing), Lesser Odes (Xiaoya): The xianguan sound of the carriage. Commentary: Xianguan is the sound of the equipment. Also: Huangxian, the name of a crossbow. History of the Former Han (Qianhan), Biography of Li Guang: Shot with the Great Yellow. Commentary: The Great Yellow is a shoulder crossbow. Jin Zhuo says: It is the same as Huangxian; the Great Yellow is the larger version. Also: A place name. Spring and Autumn Annals (Chunqiu), 22nd Year of Duke Zhao: A great hunt was held at Changxian. Also: A person's name. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Chronicle of Xiang Yu: Tian Jian, the younger brother of Tian Jiao, was a former general of Qi. Also: Records of the Grand Historian, Biography of Yue Yi: Made Yue Yi's son, Jian, the Lord of Changguo. Commentary: Jian is pronounced jian. Also: Pronounced xian. Jiyun: Peace. Book of Odes (Shijing), Zhounan: The Commentary says the Empress possessed the virtue of the Osprey (Guanju), and was a good woman of secluded (xian) and chaste character. Zhu's Commentary: Possessing the virtue of being secluded (xian) and chaste. Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), 33rd Year of Duke Xi: Huang Wuzi said: If you, my lord, take the elk and deer to give a respite (xian) to our humble state, how would that be? Book of Rites (Zhouli), Earth Offices, Traveler's Master: Responsible for gathering the grain from the fields, including that of the wild, the stored, and the spare (xian) grain. Commentary: Refers to the grain produced by the spare (xian) population who have no official duties. Explanation of Characters (Shiwen): Pronounced xian. Book of Rites (Wangzhi): The remainder is used to provide for scholars, used as spare (xian) fields. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Biography of Lord Xinling: Marquis Sheng then cleared the room of people for a private (xian) conversation. Commentary: Xian is pronounced xian. Refers to quiet speech. Also: Pronounced xian. History of the Former Han (Qianhan), Biography of Sima Xiangru: Modest, quiet (xian), and elegant; very refined. Commentary: Wei Zhao says: Xian is read as xian. Also: Leisure. Book of Rites (Liji), Qu Li: If there is a little leisure (xian), I wish to report something. Commentary: Saying one wishes to wait for a moment of vacancy to report something. Also: Near. Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), 16th Year of Duke Cheng: Through the spirit of the lord, we were near (xian) and covered by armor. Commentary: Xian is equivalent to near. Also: Pronounced jian. Erya, Explanation of Words: To replace (jian). Book of Documents (Shujing), Founding of Government (Lizheng): To look after the people we have received, to harmonize the various punishments and various duties; at such times, do not allow any to interfere (jian) with them. Commentary: Jian means to replace. Book of Odes (Shijing), Eulogies of Zhou (Zhou Song): The Emperor uses this to replace (jian) them. Ceremonial Rites (Yili), Yanli: Then they performed the song Yuli, with sheng accompaniment for the Yougeng. Also: Erya, Explanation of Words: To spy (jian). Commentary: The Zuo Tradition calls this spying. In modern times, it is called a secret agent. Explanation of Characters (Shiwen): Xian is pronounced jian. Also: Bowya: To slander (jian). Explanation of Characters (Shiwen): Meaning to slander. Also: To interpose (jian). Book of Changes (Yijing), Tun Hexagram Commentary: Solidify the will and mutual affection, and do not allow others to interpose (jian). The Justice states: Xian means to interpose. The five responds to the two; this is to solidify the will to be in mutual affection, not allowing others to interfere or interpose (jian) in the middle. Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), 3rd Year of Duke Yin: Shi Que said: Keep the distant ones away from the near ones, and keep the new away from the old (jian). Explanation of Characters (Shiwen): Xian refers to the xian of interposing. Also: To alternate (jian). Book of Documents (Shujing), Yiji: The sheng and zhong bells performed in alternation (jian). Commentary: Xian means to alternate. Sub-commentary: Interchanging and interposing, the meaning of replacing one another, therefore xian means to alternate. Blowing the sheng and striking the bells, playing them in turn. Also: To partition (jian). History of the Former Han (Qianhan), Biography of King Yuan of Chu: Some came off, or were separated (jian) in the binding. Commentary: Xian is pronounced jian. It means the old bindings had rotted and broken, so they were re-strung, resulting in the front and back being mixed up. Biography of Wei Cheng: The sacrificial rites were held at an interval (xian) of a year. Commentary: An interval year means skipping one year. Also: Equivalent to participate (jian). Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), 10th Year of Duke Zhuang: The Qi army attacked us, the Duke was about to fight, Cao Gui requested an audience, his fellow villagers said: Those who eat meat are planning it, why should you participate (jian) in it? Commentary: Xian is equivalent to participate. Also: Vacant (jian). History of the Former Han (Qianhan), Annals of Emperor Gaozu: Walking through the vacant (xian) path to reach the army. Commentary: Xian means vacant. Traveling through empty areas, not openly or publicly. Also: To alienate (jian). History of Jin (Jinyu): And to alienate (xian) the love of a father, yet praise his gifts. Commentary: Xian means to alienate. Also: Far (jian). Huainanzi, Treatise on the Nature of Truth (Chuzhenxun): In the cracks of the ditch, there is a gap (xian) between ugly and beautiful. Commentary: Xian means far. Also: Colors that are not primary are called xian. Book of Odes (Shijing), Odes of Wei: Green, a secondary (xian) color. Also: To recover (xian). Essential Explanations (Zhengzitong): Illness is always in the body, without a moment of vacancy; now that the illness has diminished and there is a vacancy, therefore recovering from illness is called xian. Also: To send. Also: Essential Explanations: To slander is also called xian. Also: To cause is called xian. Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), 4th Year of Duke Ding: To restore (xian) the royal house. Also: Using strategy to deceive the enemy is called counter-espionage (fanxian). Sun Tzu's Art of War: Counter-espionage (fanxian) is using the enemy's own spies to our advantage. Also: A place name. Strategies of the Warring States (Zhanguoce): Ceded Hexian to serve Qin. Commentary: Xian is pronounced jian. A territory of Zhao. Also: Jiyun: Jia xian, pronounced xian. A place name. Citing the Spring and Autumn Annals: A great hunt was held at Changxian. Note: According to Lu Deming's pronunciation and meaning, xian is read as it is written, with no reading in the rising tone. It is unknown what Jiyun based this on. Also: Bowya: Xian, to peer (jian). Explanation of Characters (Shiwen): Xian is pronounced jian. Also: Jiyun: Xia xia, pronounced xian. Erya, Explanation of Words: To replace. Read as gan. Also: Rhyme Supplement: Rhymes with jin. Gao Biao's Poem: People have strategies, six marvels and five subtle plots (xian). Summarizing these three affairs, one should consult on the plans.