Wei Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Silk (mì) Kangxi stroke count: 18 Page 938, Entry 02 Ancient form written as zhi. According to the Guangyun (Guangyun), pronounced zhi. According to the Jiyun (Jiyun) and the Yunhui (Yunhui), pronounced zhi. Shuowen Jiezi (Shuowen) defines it as the general term for woven cloth. Xiao Erya (Xiao Erya) states: To process silk is called zhi. Zhi refers to silk fabric. Guangyun: To weave or organize. Book of Documents (Shujing): Their baskets contained woven patterns. Commentary: Woven patterns refer to brocades and silks. Also, according to the Guangyun, Jiyun, and Yunhui, pronounced zhi. Zhengyun (Zhengyun) states: Pronounced zhi. Book of Rites (Liji): A gentleman does not wear woven silk. Note: Zhi refers to dyed and woven silk; a gentleman wears dyed silk fabrics. Also, according to the Jiyun, pronounced chi. Zhi is sometimes written as zhi. Book of Odes (Shijing): Woven patterns and bird designs. Note: Zhi refers to a banner or emblem. Commentary: Although the characters for banner and woven silk are different, the pronunciation is identical. History of the Former Han (Qianhan): Flags and banners placed upon them. Note: Shigu states that zhi should be read as banner. Leipian (Leipian): Sometimes written in a variant form.