Si Collection, Middle Volume
Radical: Fire (huǒ)
照
Kangxi Strokes: 13
Page 677, Entry 36
Pronounced zhao (falling tone).
Shuowen Jiezi (Shuowen) states that the original character was written as the variant form (zhao). Zengyun (Expanded Rhymes) defines it as the illumination cast by a candle.
I Ching (Book of Changes), Li Hexagram: The great man uses it to continue the light and illuminate the four quarters.
Book of History (Shangshu), Tai Shi: Like the sun and moon illuminating and approaching.
Zhengzitong (True Character Guide) notes: During the Northern Qi dynasty, the brothers of Liu Tao had a father whose personal name was Zhao, so they avoided writing the character Zhao for their entire lives, instead writing it as the variant form (zhao) by following the fire radical.
Guangyun (Broad Rhymes) lists it as the same as the variant form (zhao). Jiyun (Collected Rhymes) notes that it is sometimes simplified as the variant form (zhao). Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang dynasty used the variant form (zhao).