Xu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Gate (mén) Yan Kangxi strokes: 16 Page 1337, Entry 06 Pronounced yan. According to the Analytical Dictionary of Characters (Shuowen), it refers to a court eunuch. One who guards palace doors and closes them. It is formed from the radical for Gate and the phonetic component yan. According to the Expanded Dictionary of Sounds (Guangyun), it refers to a man who lacks virility, one whose essence is obstructed. In the Narrative Preface of the History of the Former Han (Qianhan Shu), it mentions the slander of eunuchs. The commentary states that court officials are called eunuchs because their vital essence is confined and not released. Another definition is one who manages the closing of gates. Also, in the Literary Exegesis (Erya), section on Explaining the Heavens, the year in the position of the Earthly Branch Xu is called yanmao. In the commentary, yan is pronounced yan. In the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Treatise on Calendars, it mentions the second year of the cycle. The commentary notes that yanmao is also written as yanwu. In the Guanzi, section on Young Officials, it states that if one enacts winter policies in spring, it brings rigor; if one enacts autumn policies, it brings thunder; if one enacts summer policies, it brings yan. The commentary notes this refers to the excessive dominance of the yang energy. Additionally, it is pronounced yan. The meaning is the same. In the Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun), it is also written as yan. Textual research: In the Literary Exegesis (Erya), section on Explaining the Heavens, it states the year in the position of the Earthly Branch Wu is called yanmao. Following the original text, it has been corrected from Wu to Xu.