Chou Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Earth (tǔ) Entry: Yao Kangxi Dictionary stroke count: 12 Page 234, Entry 03 Ancient script. Pronounced yao. Shuowen Jiezi (Dictionary of Character Analysis): High. Formed from the character for earth (yao) placed above the character for tall (wu). It means high and distant. Baihu Tong (Comprehensive Discussions in the White Tiger Hall): Yao is like the word for towering. Towering refers to the appearance of being extremely high. The ancient Emperor Tang. Book of Documents (Shangshu): The Classic of Yao states: "Reflecting on antiquity, Emperor Yao." Also a surname. Yao Xuan of the Wei dynasty, a man from Shangdang, was noted for his military achievements. Also, according to the Law of Posthumous Titles: One who assists the good and transmits wisdom, whose conduct is virtuous and righteous, is called Yao. Also a personal name. Records of the Grand Historian (Hanshu): The Emperor promoted Zhao Yao to Censor-in-Chief, stating, "There is nothing to replace Yao." History of Song (Songshi): Yao Sou, Yao Zi, and Yao Zuo were brothers who were all well-regarded; the world referred to them as the Three Yaos. Also the name of a mountain. Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing): One hundred miles northeast of Mei Mountain is called Great Yao Mountain. Today it is located in Zhending, Zhili; Tang Mountain and the county are also named Yao Mountain, so called because Yao was first enfeoffed there. Sometimes written in a variant form. Originally written as three earth characters stacked, but the small seal script added the character for tall (wu) to become the current form. The character for tall (wu) conveys the meaning of high. Another source says it is formed from three earth characters accumulated upward, symbolizing a high structure.