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

琅 is fine jade or a stone like jade; the 說文 gives '琅玕, 石似玉.' 琳琅 described a hall hung with beautiful jade, and 琅琅 was the clear sound of reading aloud. The word thus joins precious stone with the bright music of young voices at study.

Common words & phrases

• 琳琅 beautiful jade
• 琅玕 jade-like stone
• 琅琅 read aloud clearly

Read the story behind the character

We say a shop is full of 琳琅 (beautiful jade, fine goods) when shelves overflow with treasures, and a classroom rings with 琅琅 (clear reading aloud) at morning drill. 琅玕 (jade-like stone) names the mythical bead-tree. The character pairs pretty things with the sound of learning.

Why this character belongs on skin

String the jade and the sound is clean, a music only the rare can make, 琳琅, the hall of treasures, the sound of excellence gathered. Alone it is the bright stone, the thing that rings when struck, the quality that announces itself without shouting. The Daoist values the uncarved block; the connoisseur values the stone that sings. To wear this character is to honor the part of you that is precious and resonant, the worth that does not need explaining. Let it rest where you keep your value. Mark it as the vow to be, like the stone, both beautiful and sonorous, to be struck by life and answer with a clear note instead of a complaint. Not all treasure is silent.