Wu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Jade (yù) 珠 Kangxi Strokes: 11 Page 730, Entry 29 Pronounced zhu. Shuowen Jiezi (Shuowen) states: The yin essence of a mollusk. Discourses of the States (Guoyu) says: Pearls are used to ward off fire disasters, this is it. General Miscellany (Tongya) says: In ancient times there were dust-repelling pearls, cold-repelling pearls, and night-shining pearls large enough to measure an inch in diameter; some originated from the bellies of dragons, fish, and strange creatures, not exclusively from mollusks. Lu Dian says: Dragon pearls are in the chin, snake pearls are in the mouth, fish pearls are in the eyes, shark pearls are in the skin, soft-shelled turtle pearls are in the feet, and spider pearls are in the abdomen, but none equal the mollusk pearl. Shen Huaiyuan in Records of Nanyue (Nanyue Zhi) says: Pearls are categorized into nine grades. Those from one inch five fen to one inch eight or nine fen in size are the grand grade; those with luster and one side slightly flat like an overturned cauldron are called dang pearls; next to dang pearls are zhou pearls; next to zhou pearls are hua pearls; next to hua pearls are leike pearls; next to leike pearls are guan pearls and yu pearls; next to guan and yu pearls are shui pearls; next to shui pearls are cong pearls. See Continued Records of Investigations of Things (Xu Bowuzhi). Book of Documents (Shujing), Tribute of Yu (Yugong): The Huai River pearls and fish. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Offices of Heaven (Tianguan), Jade Treasury (Yufu): When gathering the feudal lords, provide pearl plates and jade vessels. Also, Investigations of Things (Bowuzhi): Jiang pearls, an alternate name for amber. Also, Dictionary of Correct Characters (Zhengzitong): Commentary on the Luan River in Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing): The Han River has many bi fish, shaped like an overturned dipper, which produce pearls and jade. Mount Li and the Chu River have many white pearls, and the plains of Shu Commandery produce blue pearls. Zuo Si says: Blue pearls and yellow rings, and the langgan and emerald pearls of the western regions, are all names of gemstones referred to as pearls. Also a place name. History of the Former Han (Qianhan), Annals of Emperor Wu: Zhuya and Dan'er. Commentary: Two commanderies in the middle of the great sea; the edges of the cliffs produce real pearls, hence they are called Zhuya. Chronicle of King Mu (Mu Tianzi Zhuan): The Son of Heaven stayed at Pearl Marsh. Commentary: Pearl Marsh is in Yuesui. Commentary on the Water Classic (Shuijing Zhu): Beside the Ruo River is the Luminous Pearl Cave. Also a tree name. Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing): North of the Open Bright (Kaiming) is the Jade Pearl Tree. Commentary: Discourses on Salt and Iron (Lunheng) says: The pearl tree resembles pearls, but they are not true pearls. Also, Linked Pearls (Lianzhu), a title of a literary composition. Preface by Fu: The genre of Linked Pearls arose in the era of Emperor Zhang of Han. Ban Gu, Jia Kui, and Fu Yi, these three, received an imperial decree to compose them. They do not directly state affairs but use allegories to convey their intent, combining the meaning of persuasion and inspiration from the ancient odes, desiring to make them as clear as strung pearls, easy to read and pleasing. Shen Yue, Commentary on the Table for Linked Pearls: I have investigated the creation of Linked Pearls, which began with Ziyun, meaning the phrases and sentences are continuous, mutually illuminating, like the orderly arrangement of pearls. Also, Supplement to the Rhymes (Yunbu): Rhymes with zhou. Forest of Changes (Yilin): The old and cunning commit grand thefts, traveling east to steal pearls.