Zi Collection, Upper Volume, Page 14, Entry 01 The character "xue" (snow) is the original character in "Shuowen Jiezi" (An Explanation of Words and the Analysis of Characters). "Pí Yǎ" (Extensive Explanations) states that the character "xue" is derived from "hui" (broom), because snow and rain can be swept away, and it can also cleanse impurities like a broom.