Wei Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Silk (mì) Kangxi Strokes: 11 Page 919, Entry 29 Pronounced zi (rising tone). In the Explanations of Names (Shiming), it is said that zi denotes a flaw, as it is not a primary color. It is a blemish among the five colors that confuses people. In the Analects (Lunyu), it is said that red and purple are not used for informal attire. Xing Bing's commentary states that purple is an intermediate color of the north. In another passage, it refers to the dislike of purple usurping the place of vermilion. He Yan's commentary states that purple is the most attractive of the intermediate colors. Also refers to a body of water. In the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Biography of Sima Xiangru, it mentions the Ziyuan (Purple Abyss) located to the north. The commentary of Wen Ying states that in Guluo County of Xihe, there is a Purple Marsh where the water is purple in color. Also a surname. According to the Extensive Rhymes (Guangyun), it appears in the He Family Surname Register (He Shi Xingyuan). Also the same as zi (proliferate). In the Xunzi, chapter Against the Twelve Masters, it appears as "zi ran dong ran." The commentary notes that zi is the same as zi (proliferate), meaning a soft and weak appearance. Textual research: In the Explanations of Names (Shiming), the text says "flaw of the five colors" instead of "flaw of the primary colors." The entry has been corrected to reflect the original text. Also the same as xu (cotton wadding). In the Xunzi, chapter Against the Twelve Masters, it appears as "zi ran dong ran." The commentary notes that zi is the same as xu (cotton wadding). The entry has been corrected to reflect the original text, replacing the characters for xu with the character for zi (proliferate).