Wei Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Boat (zhōu) Kangxi Strokes: 11 Page 1010, Entry 07 Pronounced zhú. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to the stern and bow of a ship collectively. According to the Han statutes, the term refers to the length of a ship. Another definition describes it as the stern of a boat. According to the Dialects (Fangyan) by Yang Xiong, the rear of a ship is called the zhu. It serves to control the water. The commentary notes that in the Jiangdong region, people call the rudder the zhu. In the Annals of Emperor Wu of the Former Han (Qian Han Shu), it is recorded that the Emperor floated down the Yangtze River from Xunyang, personally shot a sea dragon in the river, and captured it, with the ships stretching for a thousand miles. The commentary notes that the zhu is the place at the rear of the ship where the rudder is held. In the Rhapsody on the Yangtze River (Jiang Fu) by Guo Pu, it is written that the ships were connected one after another. The commentary states that the zhu is the stern of a boat, and the lu is the bow of a boat. Also pronounced yòu. It refers to the bow of a boat. According to the Little Erya (Xiao Erya), the front of a boat is called the zhu. Also pronounced zhòu. The meaning is the same.