Shen Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Grass (cǎo) Yin; Kangxi brush strokes: 17; Page 1055, Entry 26 According to the Tang Dynasty Rhyme Dictionary (Tangyun), the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), and the Rhyme Assembly (Yunhui), the pronunciation is yin (falling tone). In the Explanation of Simple and Compound Characters (Shuowen), it is defined as the shade created by grass. Xu states that this refers to that which is sheltered by grass. In the Exhortation to Learning chapter of the Xunzi, it states: When trees form shade, the multitude of birds rest there. In the Master Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals (Lushi Chunqiu), it states: When pine and cypress trees are fully grown, the traveler on the road is already sheltered. It also means the shadow of the sun. In the Zuo Tradition (Zuozhuan), first year of Duke Zhao, it states: Zhao Meng inspected the shadows. It is also interchangeably used with the character for shade (yin). In the Zuo Tradition, ninth year of Duke Wen, it states: The roots have no place to provide shade. According to the Rhyme Assembly (Yunhui), it is also interchangeably used as shade (yin). In the Book of Odes (Shijing), Greater Odes (Daya), it states: I have already come to shade you. In the Zuo Tradition, seventeenth year of Duke Wen, it states: A deer does not choose its shade when dying. The commentary states: The pronunciation is the same as yin. Du explains this as the place where one rests in the shade. It is a loan usage of an ancient character. According to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), the pronunciation is yin (level tone). It refers to trees and grass providing dense shade. In the Western Capital Rhapsody (Xidu Fu) by Ban Gu, it states: The luxuriant trees cast a dense shadow. It is sometimes written in a variant form.