Si Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Strip (piàn) Kangxi stroke count: 11 Page 694, Entry 01 In the Sea of Documents (Pianhai), it is the same as the character for a water gate. The original writing of the character for a water gate originated from the radical for sun, rather than the radical for mortar. According to the Extensive Dictionary of Sounds and Meanings (Guangyun) and the Collected Dictionary of Rhymes (Yunhui), the pronunciation is shi, and according to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), the pronunciation is shi. The character is pronounced xia. According to the Extensive Dictionary of Sounds and Meanings (Guangyun), it refers to lowering a bolt to close a city gate. Furthermore, according to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), another interpretation is to use wooden boards to shield or screen something.