Wu Collection, Upper Volume
Radical: Jade (yù)
Yuan
Kangxi strokes: 14
Page 737, Entry 20
Pronounced yuan (falling tone). According to the Shuowen Jiezi (Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters), it refers to a jade disk with a large center hole, used as a support for sovereigns when ascending steps. According to the Er Ya (Approaching Elegance), Er Ya: Explaining Objects, a jade ring where the center hole is twice the width of the rim is called yuan; a jade ring where the rim is twice the width of the center hole is called bi; and a jade ring where the rim and the hole are of equal width is called huan. The commentary states that when the hole is double the width of the rim, it is called yuan.
According to the Yu Pian (Jade Chapters), it is a name for a type of jade. According to the Zheng Yun (Correct Rhymes), it is a personal name, Yuan, courtesy name Boyu.
Pronounced yuan (falling tone). The meaning is the same.
Pronounced yuan (falling tone). A name for a type of jade.
Pronounced huan. It is the same as the character for a ring (huan). Citing the Shuowen Jiezi, it is a jade disk (bi). Some versions are written with the element yuan.