Wu Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Sickness (bù) Entry: yi Kangxi strokes: 9 Page 770, Entry 18 Pronounced yi According to the Explanation of Characters (Shuowen), it refers to a time when all people are ill. According to the Explanation of Names (Shiming), it means service; it implies the movement of spirits performing a service. According to the Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Spring Officials, Dream Divination: Then order the commencement of driving away the pestilence. The commentary states: Pestilence refers to plague spirits. According to the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Treatise on the Calendar: When the flourishing energy arrives, the people will have no premature deaths or pestilence. Also, according to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), pronounced yi (falling tone). The meaning is the same.