Si Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Water (shuǐ) Entry: 15 strokes Page 647, Entry 02 Ancient form: In Pronounced zi (falling tone) According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen jiezi): to soak or immerse. Also means to permeate or stain. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji): To be gradually influenced by bad teachings. Also means to dye. The Rites of Zhou (Zhouli): The Zhong family dyes feathers, soaking and coloring them repeatedly. Also refers to the death of animals. Book of Rites (Liji): The death of a four-legged animal is called zi. Commentary: Zi refers to death caused by contamination with filth. Verification: In the Book of Rites (Liji), four-legged animals are called zi. Commentary: Zi means to be contaminated by filth and die. Revised in accordance with the original text to read as filth.