Chou Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Mouth (kǒu) Kangxi stroke count: 5 Page 173, Entry 05 Pronounced yòu. A variant of the characters for assist and protect. Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Graphs and Analysis of Characters): To assist. Erya (Approaching Elegance), Interpretation of Glosses: Right means to guide, to aid, to illuminate. Book of Documents (Shangshu): I wish to assist and guide the people. Note: Left is pronounced zuo. Taijia: Only the high minister, capable of assisting his sovereign in governing the teachers of the people. Book of Odes (Shijing): Protected and ordained by heaven, he harmonized the campaign against the great Shang. Also, the opposite of left. Book of Documents (Shangshu): Flanking the right of Mount Jieshi, entering the river. Book of Rites (Liji), Lesser Ceremonial: In presenting offerings, one proceeds from the left; in proclaiming the announcement, one proceeds from the right. Note: The standing position honors the right. Also, to place above or favor. History of the Former Han Dynasty (Qian Hanshu), Biography of Gongsun Hong: Preserving success by favoring letters; encountering the era, one favors martiality. Note: Shigu says: Right also means above. Also, History of the Former Han Dynasty, Biographies of Exemplary Officials: Wen Weng considered it a high-ranking post. Note: Shigu says: A high-ranking post is a superior office in the county. Also, powerful or influential. History of the Later Han Dynasty (Hou Hanshu), Annals of Emperor Ming: Do not allow the powerful and influential to solidify their advantages. Also, a title of office. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Ministry of Summer: The Director of the Right governs the administrative orders of the various right-guard officials. Note: The various right-guard officials include the chariot guards, the military guards, and the vanguard. Also, a surname. Zhengzitong (Correction of Characters): Han dynasty figure You Gongbi, Song dynasty figure You Jiaxiang, Ming dynasty figure You Yan. Also, Guangyun (Broad Rhymes) notes: Han dynasty compound surnames, including five clans. The Zuo Zhuan (Commentary of Zuo) records Le Daxin serving as Minister of the Right; his descendants adopted the title as a surname. During the Han dynasty, there was the Middle Scholar Youshi Tan. In the Jin dynasty, Jia Hua served as Minister of the Right-Lineage; his descendants adopted the title as a surname. During the Han dynasty, there was Censor-in-Chief Youxing Chuo. The He Surname Garden mentions clans such as Youlü, Youhu, and Younan. Also, the name of a mountain and a mythical beast. Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing): In the mountain of Changyou, there is a beast shaped like a macaque with four ears; its name is Changyou. Also, interchangeable with the character meaning to present offerings or to urge. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Ministry of Spring, Grand Invocation: To use in enjoying sacrificial offerings. Note: Right is read as the character for to present offerings, meaning to urge. Also, pronounced yǒu. The meaning is the same. Note: According to the Jiyun (Collection of Rhymes), the character has two pronunciations in the rising and departing tones, which are effectively the same in meaning. The Zhengzitong (Correction of Characters) assigns the meanings of left-and-right or hands to the rising tone, and the meaning of right or assist to the departing tone; this is incorrect. Also, rhymes with the sound you. Book of Odes (Shijing): I present my offerings, with sheep and with oxen, and Heaven shall assist them. Note: According to the Tangyun (Tang Rhymes), the correct pronunciation is yi. I follow the commentary of Zhu Xi. Also, rhymes with the sound yi. Book of Odes (Shijing): The spring water is on the left, and the Qi River is on the right. When the maiden is married, she departs from her parents and brothers. Also, rhymes with the sound you. Book of Odes (Shijing), Qin Odes: Wandering back and forth following him; the road is obstructed and winding to the right. Wandering downstream following him; he is there in the middle of the islet. Song Yu, Rhapsody on the Flute: Towering to ten thousand fathoms, the rocks rise in pairs. The Vermilion River surges on its left, and the Sweet Spring flows on its right. Note: According to the Tangyun (Tang Rhymes), the ancient pronunciation of this character is yi. By examining the classics, it is clear that it should be read as yi, rather than just as a rhyming sound. Also, rhymes with the sound yi (falling tone). Book of Odes (Shijing), Lesser Odes: I have my noble guests; my heart delights in them. The bells and drums have been set; throughout the morning, I assist them. Note: The character for joy rhymes in the departing tone. Also, rhymes with the sound yu. Lu Yun, Eulogy for Chancellor Lu: Thereupon he managed the central army and entered to serve as an inner counselor. As nobles ascend and descend, they are at the side of the Emperor. Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Graphs and Analysis of Characters): Originally written as a combination of mouth and right. Xu Kai says: It implies that speech is insufficient to provide left-handed assistance.