Yin Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Bristle (shān) Yan Kangxi stroke count: 9 Page 363, Entry 13 Pronounced yan. In the Shuo Wen Jie Zi (Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters), it is defined as a distinguished person possessing literary talent, someone spoken of by others. In the Er Ya (Approaching Elegance), it states that a distinguished person is called a yan, with the commentary noting that such a person is someone praised and chanted about by others; the sub-commentary adds that when a state has a distinguished person, that person is spoken of and discussed by others. In the Book of Documents (Shujing), specifically the Tai Jia chapter, it refers to seeking out those who are talented and distinguished. In the Book of Odes (Shijing), specifically the Odes of Zheng, it refers to the distinguished men of the state. It also shares a rhyming form pronounced yan (level tone). In the Eulogy for Master Lu by Lu Yun, it states that the harmonious sound is passed down through generations, never replacing the great and distinguished men; bright insight exists below, and a grand mandate exists above.