Wu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Jade (yù) Yan Kangxi Strokes: 13 Page 735, Entry 06 Tang Dynasty Rhymes (Tangyun), Collection of Rhymes (Yunhui): Pronounced yan (rising tone). Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen): The beautiful luster appearing on jade. The character is formed with jade as the radical, and flame (yan) functions as both meaning and sound. Broad Rhymes (Guangyun): A type of jade. Collection of Rhymes (Yunhui): The character yan takes its meaning from flame, referring to light rising like fire. It also refers to a gui (a ritual tablet) with a sharp upper end. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Spring Officials, Canon of Regalia (Dianrui): Use the yan-gui to urge the correction of conduct and eliminate evil. Commentary: The yan-gui has a sharp point, symbolizing execution and punitive expeditions. When feudal lords engage in misconduct, the Son of Heaven sends envoys to suppress them, carrying the yan-gui as a seal of authority. Winter Officials, Record of Trades (Kaogongji): The yan-gui is nine inches long. Commentary: For all ritual tablets, the yan-portion (the sharp, upper end) is one and a half inches long; for the yan-gui, the yan-portion is one and a half inches plus an additional half inch for decorative carving. Also used as a personal name. See the detailed entry under the character wan for further explanation.