Remarks on the Character Yan 延 in the Geling 葛陵 Chu Manuscripts

In the Geling 葛陵 Chu 楚 manuscripts, there are a number of characters usually transcribed as yan 延 in published transcriptions. This essay suggests a tentative interpretation of these characters. The first section examines four types of direct transcriptions and their interpretive transcriptions. Then, the essay argues these variations are graphic rather than lexical. In its context, the phrase yan zhong 延鐘 can be translated as “melodic bells,” and the emphasis on melodic bells serves to highlight the high rank of ritual.