Xu Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Leather (gé) Yang Kangxi Strokes: 14 Page 1386, Entry 41 Pronounced yang (falling tone). In the Explanation of Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it is defined as a neck strap. In the Extensive Rhymes (Guangyun), it refers to a halter for cattle. According to the Zuo Commentary (Zuozhuan), Year 18 of Duke Xiang, one drew a sword to cut the halter. In the Explanation of Names (Shiming), it is stated: Yang is the same as ying. That which is below the throat is called ying, referring to something that encircles and binds. The ornaments below are called fanying; their shape is decorative and connected to the ying above. In the Book of Odes (Shijing), Small Odes (Xiaoya), it is written: Or one is busy with the king's affairs. The commentary states: Yangzhang describes a state of being flustered and lacking decorum. The sub-commentary explains: The commentary considers yangzhang a state of arduous labor, thus it says it lacks decorum, meaning affairs are so busy and pressing that there is no time to maintain proper bearing. Today, common parlance refers to being busy with one's duties as yangzhang, which originates from this. Zheng Xuan interprets yangzhang as the reality of busy affairs, thus he says yang is like carrying something, and zhang means to hold it. To carry and hold something while hurrying about implies a state of pressing urgency. Yang is pronounced like the yang of a horse halter; because one must hold the halter to carry a load, the term yang signifies carrying a burden. Also a personal name. According to the Zuo Commentary (Zuozhuan), there was a man named Shi Yang in the State of Jin. According to Yang Xiong's Regional Speech (Fangyan), it means to be obstinate or resentful. In the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Biography of Han Xin, it is written: He was always in a state of discontent (yangyang). It is also written as a variant form (yang). Pronounced yang (level tone). Leather for a horse's neck. Pronounced yang (level tone). According to the Guangya, it means to be unreliable. Pronounced yang (falling tone). A harness for a horse.