Si Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Water (shuǐ) Entry: Source Kangxi Stroke Count: 14 Page 639, Entry 16 Pronounced yuán. According to the Explaining and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen), it is the origin of a water spring. As cited in the Book of Rites (Liji), specifically the Monthly Ordinances (Yueling) chapter: To pray to the mountains and rivers for the hundred sources for the people. The commentary notes: The places where all waters first emerge are the hundred sources. Also the name of a river. According to the Commentary on the Classic of Waterways (Shuijingzhu): The Qin River flows east and joins the Dan River; the water emerges from beneath a mound northeast of the ancient city of Gaodu County in Shangdang, commonly referred to as the Yuanyuan River. Also a surname. According to the History of Northern Wei (Beiwei Shu), Biography of Yuan He: He, the son of Tufa Rutan, entered the Later Wei dynasty. Emperor Taiwu of Wei said to him: Since we share the same origin (yuan), you may take Yuan as your clan name. According to the Rhyme Compilation (Yunhui), originally written as the variant form (yuan), which is a simplified seal script version of the character (yuan).