Si Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Crossed Lines (yáo) Kangxi Strokes: 4 Page 690, Entry 13 Pronounced yao. Pronounced yao. Pronounced yao. Pronounced yao. Pronounced yao (level tone). According to the Shuowen Jiezi, the character means to intersect. The shape of the character imitates the crossing of the tops of the six lines in the Book of Changes (Yijing). The Book of Changes (Yijing), Appended Statements (Xici) states: The yao are what clarify changes. It also states: The yao are to imitate these phenomena. It further states: The yao are to imitate the movements of all things under heaven. According to the Jiyun, it is also pronounced xiao (falling tone). The original character is xiao. It means to imitate or emulate. Another interpretation is function. Sometimes also written in variant forms (xiao). It is used interchangeably with the character xiao (to boast). The Zheng Yun mentions: In the Book of Changes (Yijing), the method of deriving the yao is called Kun. Lu Deming provides the pronunciation as xiao (falling tone); note that in the current version of the Book of Changes (Yijing), Appended Statements (Xici), it is written as xiao (to imitate).