Wu Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Vessel (mǐn) An Kangxi Stroke Count: 16 Page 796, Entry 15 Tang Rhymes (Tangyun): Pronounced an Collected Rhymes (Jiyun): Pronounced an (entering tone) Explanation from the Origin of Chinese Characters (Shuowen Jiezi): Meaning to cover. Illustrated Antiquities (Bogu Tu): In the Zhou dynasty, there was a coiled-dragon vessel cover, which is the lid of a tripod. Also, Collected Rhymes (Jiyun): Pronounced an (rising tone) Also, Extensive Rhymes (Guangyun) and Collected Rhymes (Jiyun): Pronounced an. The meaning is the same. The inscription on the tripod is written as an. Xu Xuan says: It is vulgarly written as an, which is incorrect.