You Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Speech (yán) Xi Kangxi Strokes: 19 Page 1180, Entry 05 Pronounced xi. In the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it means pain. Xu states: This is a cry of pain. In the Comprehensive Dictionary (Yupian), it denotes a command and the sound of fear. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji): Zi Zhao said: Xi, I have something I wish to show you clearly. In the Master Kangcang (Kangcangzi), it is written: Looking up and crying xi. Cao Zhi, Seven Stimuli (Qi Qi): Looking down and responding to it, saying: Xi. Annotation: This is the sound of sorrow and resentment. Xi and hi were interchangeable in ancient times. Also, xi-xi denotes heat. Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan): Someone shouted at the great temple of Song, saying: Xi-xi, chu-chu. The Comprehensive Refinements (Tongya) states: This should be written as hi-hi, duo-duo, both of which represent the sounds of ghosts and spirits. The traditional interpretation as the appearance of fire is incorrect. The Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi) cites the Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan) as writing this as ei-ei. Also, yi-xi is the name of a bird. See the note under the character yi. Also, pronounced yi. A sound of resentment. Identical to yi. Editorial Note: In Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), the phrase has been corrected to read zi zhe according to the original text.