Chou Collection, Upper Volume
Radical: Mouth (kǒu)
Character: Yan
Kangxi strokes: 16
Page 209, Entry 16
Tang Rhymes (Tangyun), Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), and Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun) record it as the combination of yu and jian. Rhyme Assembly (Yunhui) records it as the combination of yi and jian. Pronounced yan.
Shuowen Jiezi states: Yan-yong refers to the appearance of a fishs mouth appearing above the surface.
Guangyun states: The appearance of a fishs mouth moving up and down.
Huainanzi (Huainanzi), Chapter on the Art of Rulership (Zhutuxun): If the water is murky, the fish will gasp.
Wang Chong, Discourses Weighed in the Balance (Lunheng): If the rulers mouth does not hang open, the words spoken will be clear.
Also, Collected Rhymes (Jiyun) and Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun) record it as the combination of niu and lian. Pronounced nian. The meaning is the same. Collected Rhymes (Jiyun) notes that it is sometimes written in a variant form.
Also, Guangyun and Collected Rhymes (Jiyun) record it as the combination of yu and bian. Pronounced yan. The meaning is the same.
Zuo Si, Rhapsody on the Capital of Wei (Weidufu): When the banners are raised, their majesty is like the biting frost of autumn. Explanation of Text (Shiwen) states: Yan is pronounced yan.