Xu Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Short-tailed Bird (zhuī) Character: 雄 Kangxi Stroke Count: 12 Page 1365, Entry 12 Ancient form of the character (hóng). According to Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun) and Collected Rhymes (Yunhui), the pronunciation is xiong. According to Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen), it refers to the male of birds. According to Progressing Toward Elegance (Erya), Interpretation of Birds: When a bird spreads its wings, if the right wing covers the left, it is male; if the left wing covers the right, it is female. According to Book of Odes (Shijing), Beifeng: The male pheasant flies, its feathers fluttering. Also, according to Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun), it refers to the male of a species. According to Book of Odes (Shijing), Qifeng: The male fox is sluggish. Note: The commentary on the Wei section of the Book of Odes states: For flying creatures, one uses the terms male and female; for walking creatures, one uses the terms sire and dam. However, the Qifeng poem mentions a male fox, and since the fox is a walking creature, it is also referred to as male. The Correction of Standard Graphs (Zhengzitong) states: All things have male and female, from fish and crustaceans to lice; the claim in the Odes commentary that these terms are strictly divided by whether the creature flies or walks is incorrect. Also, according to Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun), it is a term for martial prowess. According to Zuo Commentary (Zuozhuan), the twenty-first year of Duke Xiang: Duke Zhuang of Qi pointed to Zhi Chuo and Guo Zui, saying: These are the valiant men of my state. According to Treatise on Character (Rénwù Zhì): The elite among plants are called heroes, and the leaders of bird flocks are called champions. Zhang Liang was a hero, and Han Xin was a champion. Also, the name of a prefecture. According to Collected Rhymes (Yunhui), it was originally the territory of Zhuo Commandery; the Zhou dynasty established Xiong Prefecture. Also, Southern Xiong Prefecture: Originally located in the region of the Hundred Yue, the Han dynasty established Xiong Prefecture, and the Song dynasty added the character for South. Also, according to Broad Rhymes (Guangyun), it is also a surname. A friend of Emperor Shun was named Xiong Tao. According to Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun), it is also written in a variant form.