You Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Cowrie (bèi) Zàn Kangxi Dictionary strokes: 19 Page 1212, Entry 21 Pronounced zàn According to the Shuo Wen Jiezi (Shuowen), the meaning is to see. The character form is composed of cowrie and to advance. Annotation: Xu Xuan says: The latter element is pronounced shēn, meaning to advance. It refers to presenting a gift while being guided by an official. Also, Book of Changes (Yijing), section on the explanation of the trigrams, meanings include helping the divine in secret. Annotation: Zàn means to clarify. Commentary: Zàn means to assist and facilitate, allowing the hidden to be made manifest; hence it is explained as to clarify. Also, Book of Documents (Shujing), Counsels of Great Yu, mentions Yi assisting Great Yu. Commentary: Zàn means to assist or help. Ceremonial Rites (Yili), Rites of Scholars, mentions withdrawing slightly to transmit an order. School Sayings of Confucius (Kongzi Jiayu) mentions that even the literary talents of Ziyou and Zixia could not add a single word. Also, Book of Documents (Shujing), Counsels of Gao Yao, mentions exerting effort to assist. Commentary: This also refers to stating the deeds of the ancients to offer counsel. Commentary: This refers to studying and presenting the deeds of the ancients to assist in perfecting one's speech. Also, it means to advance. Book of Han (Hanshu), Biography of Dongfang Shuo, mentions Dongfang Shuo recommending himself. Annotation: Yan Shigu says: Zàn means to advance. Also, according to the Guangyun, it means to emerge or to assist. Also a surname. Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals (Lüshi Chunqiu) mentions an examiner of horses named Zanjun. Also rhymes with the sound of jiàn. Su Shi, Eulogy to the Deity of Mount Wu: Praying to the divine to provide assistance in secret. Not violating past promises, perhaps owing to the secret aid of the divine.