Xu Collection, Lower Volume
Radical: Leaf (yè)
Zhuan
Kangxi strokes: 18
Page 1407, Entry 14
Pronounced zhuan.
According to the Explaining and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to the appearance of a head that is serious and cautious. According to the Rhyme Collection (Yunhui), it means ignorant. It is also the title of an ancient emperor. According to the Jade Chapter (Yupian), Changyi gave birth to Gaoyang, who became Emperor Zhuanxu. Zhuan means to focus. Xu means to correct. It signifies one who can focus on and rectify the way of Heaven.
It is also the name of a star; see the entry for the character Xu for details. It is also the name of a state, Zhuanyu. It is also a surname. According to the Biographies of Immortals (Shenxian Zhuan), there was an immortal named Zhuanxu He. It is also a double surname, Zhuansun.
It is also used interchangeably with the character for focus, meaning alone. In the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), it is written that the guest was foolish and ignorant, speaking recklessly and belittling authority. In the History of the Former Han (Qianhan Shu), the supreme general Lu and chancellor Chan usurped military power and controlled the government. In the work Dian Yin by Ban Gu, it asks, how could one speak solely for one's own sake.
It also describes a round appearance. In the History of the Former Han (Qianhan Shu), it refers to living alone in the middle of the sea. The commentary states that this is the same as the character for focus. Zhuan-zhuan is similar to the word for insignificant. Another source states it describes a round appearance.
Correction: The original text suggested it is also interchangeable with the character for group, but based on the Jade Chapter (Yupian), Extensive Rhymes (Guangyun), and the Rhyme Collection (Yunhui), the character Zhuan does not have the sound for group, nor does it state it is interchangeable. This is now corrected according to the commentary on the History of the Former Han (Qianhan Shu) cited below, which refers to it as describing a round appearance.