Wu Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Sickness (bìng) Xian Kangxi Stroke Count: 22 Page 783, Entry 01 Pronounced xian (rising tone). Shuowen Jiezi (Dictionary of Explaining and Analyzing Characters): Dry sores. Explanation of Names (Shiming): Xian means migration. It migrates and spreads across the skin, which is why people in Qing and Xu provinces call it migration. Zuo Commentary (Zuozhuan), Sixth Year of Duke Huan: Referring to one not suffering from mange or leprosy. Commentary: The skin and hair are free from scabies or ringworm. Also pronounced xian (level tone). Same meaning. Sometimes written as a variant form.