The Calligrapher — Yán Zhēnqīng 颜真卿

Tang master of robust regular script; co-creator of the enduring 'Yan style'.

Tang calligrapher (709–784), master of regular script/running script — the Tang moral paragon whose upright, muscular regular script became the model of Chinese integrity in writing. Tang dynasty

Cultural Story

Mencius said that "the heroic men, even without a King Wen, would rise" — 若夫豪杰之士. The word 傑, older still, named a wooden lookout tower raised above the plain, and from that height came the sense of one who stood above the rest. To be 傑 was to be seen from far off, a figure the crowd looked up to.

Common words & phrases

• 杰出 outstanding · eminent
• 杰作 masterpiece
• 豪杰 hero · worthy
• 俊杰 talented person · hero

Read the story behind the character

A foundation names an 杰出 student; the museum calls the painting a 杰作. The film honors the 豪杰 who held the line, and a coach scouts 俊杰 for the squad. The word still crowns the outstanding — a deed, a talent, a life — the ones who, by skill or courage, rise a head above the crowd that watches them.