The Calligrapher — Ōuyáng Xún 欧阳询

Tang regular-script master whose 'Ouyang style' is a basic learning model.

Tang calligrapher (557–641), master of regular script/running script — Tang codifier of regular script; crisp, architectural strokes you could measure with a ruler. Tang dynasty

Cultural Story

Confucius praised Yan Hui for not erring twice, bu er guo, the same fault never repeated, a single discipline he held above quick wit. The character er is the number two, and in conduct it means the divided heart, the er xin of a man serving two masters. The Qing later listed the er chen, the officials who served more than one dynasty, and the word kept its sting of the second, faithless step.

Common words & phrases

• 贰心 disloyalty · infidelity · treacherous heart
• 贰臣 turncoat official · traitor minister
• 不贰 loyal · not twice · single-minded
• 贰过 err a second time · repeat a fault
• 贰言 disloyal words · contradictory statement

Read the story behind the character

On a bank cheque the amount is written in the tall form er, one of the capital numerals meant to stop a forger from altering a line. A historian tags a turncoat as er chen, and a vow swears bu er to a single cause. The character er still marks the second hand, the doubled loyalty, and the safe figure on the page.