Mao Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Square (fāng) Kangxi stroke count: 20 Page 485, Entry 17 Pronounced yu. Shuowen Jiezi (Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters): A banner decorated with interlaced leather and bird images, used to summon soldiers to gather. Yuyu describes a great number of people. Erya (Approaching Elegance), Commentary on Heaven: A banner with interlaced leather and painted bird images is called yu. Commentary: This means bird skins and feathers are stripped, combined, and placed at the top of a flagpole. This is what is meant in the Book of Rites (Liji): carrying wild geese and calling kites. Sub-commentary: Cuo (interlaced) means placed. Ge (leather) means urgent. It refers to painting swift birds on the streamers of the banner. Shiming (Explanation of Names): A banner painted with images of birds and falcons is called yu. Yu signifies praise. When the banners erected by military officers are present, tasks are performed rapidly and thus receive praise. Book of Odes (Shijing), Odes of Yong: High stands the yu banner. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Spring Offices, Director of Banners: A banner painted with images of birds and falcons is called yu. Also: Used by provinces and districts to erect yu banners. Commentary: Painting birds and falcons symbolizes bravery and vigor. Also, Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Winter Offices, Artificers' Record: The bird banner has seven streamers to symbolize the Quail Fire star. Commentary: Painting the Vermilion Bird and the falcon on the streamers and the banner field. Sub-commentary: The shan is the main panel of the banner; the liu are the hanging streamers. Also, Book of Odes (Shijing), Minor Odes of the Kingdom: It is not that I wish to furl it, but my hair flutters like the streamers of the yu banner. Commentary: Yu refers to a fluttering appearance. Textual research: Erya, Commentary on Heaven: A banner with interlaced leather and bird images is called yu. Sub-commentary: Cuo means placed. Ge means urgent. Per the original text, changed to urgent.