Hai Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Bird (niǎo) Character: yi Kangxi strokes: 22 Page 1499, Entry 06 Pronounced wu (level tone). Also according to Collected Rhymes (Jiyun) and Rhyme Collection (Yunhui) pronounced yi (level tone). The sound is the same as yi. It is a type of water bird, also known as a gull. Another name for it is water owl. Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi) states it is a type of wild duck. Increased Encyclopedia (Piya) states: Wild ducks like to dive into the water, while this bird likes to float on the water surface. Correct Meaning Guide (Zhengzitong) states: This bird is dark grey in color. They fly and call in flocks, coming and going with the tide. They are called trustworthy ducks because they know when the wind is about to rise and will fly to the shore; those who cross the sea use them to judge the wind direction. Book of Odes (Shijing), Great Odes (Daya) contains the line: The wild ducks and the yi birds are in the river. It is also used as a variant form for yi. Sima Xiangru’s Rhapsody on the Imperial Park (Shanglin Fu) contains the phrase: brushing past the yi bird. The commentary states that yi is the same as yi. Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing) records: In Mount Jiuyi there is a multicolored bird named yi. It also records: In Snake Mountain there is a bird with multicolored plumage that can obscure the sun when it flies, named yi bird. There is also a bird that resembles a phoenix. Qu Yuan’s Encountering Sorrow (Lisao) contains the line: Driving a carriage pulled by four jade dragons, riding upon yi birds. Wang Yi’s commentary states: Yi is another name for the phoenix. Its body has multicolored patterns, just like a phoenix. According to Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), another pronunciation is yi (falling-rising tone). It refers to a dark blue-black color. The Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Spring Offices (Chunguan), Carriage Office records: Carved carriages with yi decorations. The commentary states: The so-called yi decoration refers to a dark blue-black fabric made of silk. The sub-commentary explains: This name is derived from the dark blue-black color of the yi bird's feathers.