Xu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Gate (mén) 17 strokes Page 1338, Entry 22 Tang Rhymes (Tangyun), Collection Rhymes (Jiyun), Rhyme Meetings (Yunhui): Pronounced an. Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun): Pronounced an. Shuowen Jiezi: To close a door. Guangyun: Dark. Yupian: Secluded. Commentary on the Book of Changes (Yijing), Hexagram Meng: Meng refers to the meaning of being dim, obscure, dark, and weak. Since matters are obscure, one only hopes for success; but the obscure seek out the enlightened, and the enlightened do not consult the obscure, hence it is said that the ignorant youth seeks me. Book of Rites (Liji), Qu Li: A filial son does not perform acts in the dark. Annotation: An means dim and dark. It means not performing acts in places that are dark and unclear. Book of Documents (Shujing), Counsels of the Great Yu: Stupid are these Miao, confused and disrespectful. Commentary: Hun means dark and obscure. Guangya: An means night. Book of Rites (Liji), Jiyi: The Xia dynasty performed sacrifices at night. Annotation: An refers to the time of twilight. Gongyang Zhuan, Year 25 of Duke Zhuang: Use red silk threads to surround the altar of the god of the soil. Some say this is to coerce it, others say it is because it is dark and one fears people will offend it, so it is surrounded. Annotation: Because the sky is dark and dim, one fears people will offend it by passing through, so it is surrounded. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Spring Officials, Shi Jin: Responsible for the laws governing the ten types of solar and lunar phenomena, to observe auspicious and ominous signs and distinguish good from bad fortune; the fifth type is called an. Annotation: An refers to solar and lunar eclipses. Also refers to not being bright. Zhuangzi, Qiwulun: You and I cannot understand each other, so humanity inherently bears this dark and unclear state. Annotation: Dan'an, the appearance of being dark and unclear. Also the name of an insect. Guangya: An is a cicada. Collection Rhymes (Jiyun), Rhyme Meetings (Yunhui), Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun): Pronounced an. The appearance of being hidden and obscure. Book of Rites (Liji), Zhongyong: Dark and obscure, yet day by day becoming more manifest. Explanation of Text: An, pronounced an. Collection Rhymes (Jiyun): Pronounced an. The meaning of being hidden and dark. Five Tones Collection Rhymes (Wuyin Jiyun): Pronounced an. The meaning of a great flood arriving. Collection Rhymes (Jiyun), Rhyme Meetings (Yunhui): Pronounced yin. The meaning of being silent. Also pronounced nan. Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial (Yili), Sangfu: The commentary on the lintel of the mourning shed states that an refers to the hut used for mourning. The hut has a beam, which is what is called the lintel. Explanation of Text: An, pronounced nan.