Wu Collection, Upper Volume
Radical: Jade (yù)
Xiang
Kangxi Stroke Count: 22
Page 745, Entry 19
According to the Book of Rhymes (Guangyun) and the Orthodox Rhymes (Zhengyun), pronounced xiang. According to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun) and the Rhyme Assemblage (Yunhui), pronounced xiang.
According to the Jade Chapters (Yupian), it refers to an ornament on a horse. According to the Book of Rhymes (Guangyun), it refers to an ornament on a horse's harness. According to the Rhyme Assemblage (Yunhui), it refers to a ring-shaped ornament on a horse's harness.
As stated in the Discourses of the States (Jinyu): Those who are exiled carry or hide small trinkets to longingly look toward the dust and dirt of their prince. The commentary states: Xiang refers to a horse's harness.
In the Eastern Capital Rhapsody (Dongdu Fu) by Ban Gu: Hooks, breast-straps, and jade ornaments. In the Praise of Vast Perfection (Guangcheng Song) by Ma Rong: Gold bits and jade ornaments.
Furthermore, according to the Mastery of Orthography (Zhengzitong), extra ornaments on hairpins or bracelets worn by women are colloquially referred to as xiangqian. Whether made of gold or jade, the function of the ornamentation remains the same.