You Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Red (chì) Kangxi Strokes: 16 Page 1214, Entry 16 Pronounced zhe (falling-rising tone) According to the Explaining and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it is red earth. In the Biography of Sima Xiangru from the History of the Former Han (Qianhan Shu), it is written: Its earth is cinnabar, green, red earth, and white earth. The commentary states: Red earth is the red earth of today. Also, according to the Guangya, it means red. In the Odes of Bei from the Book of Odes (Shijing), it is written: Shining like thick red earth. The sub-commentary states: Shining and red, like deeply soaked cinnabar earth. In the Basic Annals of Qin Shi Huang from the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), it is written: Felling the trees on Mount Xiang to make the mountain red. In the Treatise on Ritual and Music from the History of the Former Han (Qianhan Shu), it is written: Sweat moistened and red foam flowed like red earth. Also, red garments refer to the clothing of convicts. In the Treatise on Law from the History of the Former Han (Qianhan Shu), it is written: Red-clothed convicts filled the roads. In the Rectification of Names chapter from the Xunzi, it is written: Executing those in red garments without hesitation. The commentary states: Because they used red earth to dye their clothing, they are called red-clothed.