Yin Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Step (chì) Xu; Kangxi strokes: 10; Page 367, Entry 11 Pronounced xu (level tone). According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen): to walk slowly. According to the Jade Chapters (Yupian): dignified manner. According to the Erudite Refinements (Erya), section on Explaining Teachings: to be empty and to be slow, referring to dignified demeanor and deportment. Commentary: The appearance of being poised and elegant. According to the Zhuangzi, section on Responses for Emperors and Kings: sleeping calmly, waking up peacefully. Pronunciation and Meaning: Xu xu means a calm and steady appearance. Also written in the variant form xie. According to the Book of Odes (Shijing), Odes of Yong: to be empty and to be slow. Commentary: Xie is to be read as Xu. Sub-commentary: To be empty and slow signifies the meaning of being modest and leisurely. According to the Extended Rhymes (Guangyun): slow. According to the Broad Refinements (Guangya): delayed. According to the Mencius: You said to treat it slowly. According to the Extended Rhymes (Guangyun): the name of a province. According to the Book of Documents (Shangshu), Tribute of Yu: From the sea and Mount Dai to the Huai River is Xu Province. According to the Erudite Refinements (Erya), section on Explaining Earth: The area east of the Ji River is called Xu Province. Sub-commentary: The climate between the Huai and the sea is expansive and gentle, and the nature of the people is calm and slow, therefore it is called Xu. According to the Explaining Names (Shiming): Xu means to relax; the earth's energy is relaxed and slow. Also the name of a state. According to the Zuo Commentary (Zuozhuan), first year of Duke Zhao: The Zhou dynasty had the states of Xu and Yan. Commentary: Both states were of the Ying surname. Also the name of a county. According to the Book of Han, Treatise on Geography: Linhuai Commandery contains Xu County. According to the Erudite Refinements (Erya), section on Explaining Heaven: When the Grand Duke (the planet Jupiter) is in the Chen position, it is called Zhi Xu. Also a surname. According to the Extended Rhymes (Guangyun): Descended from Zhuanxu. During the Spring and Autumn period, King Yan of Xu practiced benevolence and righteousness but was destroyed by King Wen of Chu; his descendants subsequently took this as their clan name. They originated from the five lineages of Donghai, Gaoping, Dongguan, Langya, and Puyang.