The outstanding (121 CE) Shuowen Jiezi character dictionary, defines yi 夷 as "Gentlemen of your east" 東方之人也. The dictionary also informs that Yi is not dissimilar within the Xia 夏, which suggests Chinese. Elsewhere from the Shuowen Jiezi, underneath the entry of qiang 羌, the expression yi is connected to benevolence and human longev