Xu Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Leek (jiǔ) Xian Kangxi strokes: 17 Page 1396, Entry 12 Pronounced xian As written in the Tang Dynasty Rhyme Dictionary (Tangyun) and the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), it is pronounced xian. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen), it refers to mountain leeks. It is formed from the leek radical and the phonetic component xian. As written in the Jade Chapters (Yupian), it is sometimes written in a variant form (xian). As written in the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), it is sometimes written in a variant form (xian). Additionally, according to the Extensive Rhyme Dictionary (Guangyun), it refers to something fine or delicate. Furthermore, as written in the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), it is pronounced jian. It refers to mountain leeks.