Xu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Metal (jīn) 鍼 Kangxi stroke count: 17 Page 1315, Entry 27 Pronounced zhēn. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen), an awl used for sewing cloth or silk. In the Zuo Tradition (Zuozhuan), during the second year of Duke Cheng: The Chu army invaded up to Yangqiao. Mengsun requested to go and bribe them, sending one hundred craftsmen each of carpenters, needle workers, and weavers. The commentary notes that needle workers refers to female artisans. In the Book of Liezi (Liezi), in the Tang Questions chapter: Zhan He used a single strand of silk as a fishing line and a fine needle as a hook. The Collected Rhymes (Jiyun) notes it is also written as a variant form (zhēn). It is also written as (zhēn). Also refers to piercing. In the History of the Former Han (Qian Hanshu), Biography of the King of Guangchuan: Used an iron needle to pierce him. The commentary notes that this means to pierce. Also, in medical texts, refers to piercing acupoints with stone needles to treat illness. Di Renjie of the Tang dynasty was skilled in this acupuncture technique. Also used as a personal name. In the Zuo Tradition, in the fourth year of Duke Ding: Zhen Yin Gu shared a boat with the King of Chu. The commentary on pronunciation indicates it is pronounced zhēn. Also, pronounced yán. The Five Sounds Collected Rhymes (Wuyin Jiyun) defines this as using an iron needle to pierce an object. Also, pronounced qián. Used as a personal name. In the Book of Odes (Shijing), Qin Wind section: Ziche Zhenhu. In the Zuo Tradition, in the eighth year of Duke Yin: Zhenzi escorted the woman. The commentary notes that Zhenzi was a grand master. In the thirty-second year of Duke Zhuang, it was ordered that Xishu wait at the residence of the Zhenwu clan. The commentary notes that the Zhenwu clan were grand masters of the state of Lu. In the twenty-eighth year of Duke Xi, Zhen Zhuangzi was seated. The commentary on pronunciation indicates it is pronounced qián. Also used as a place name. In the Zuo Tradition, in the sixth year of Duke Cheng: Attacked the Song army at Zhen. The commentary on pronunciation indicates it is pronounced qián. Another pronunciation is zhēn. Also, pronounced jiān. When an illness cannot be eliminated by pills or powders because it is situated in the meridians, a needle is used to perform acupuncture treatment.