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

颡 builds on 頁 'head' with 桑 as sound, meaning the forehead or the front of the skull. 《說文》 gives 顙 as the brow. In ritual one 稽颡, touching the forehead to the ground in deep mourning—the lowest, sincerest bow of grief before the dead.

Common words & phrases

• 稽颡 kowtow touching the forehead

Read the story behind the character

颡 is the forehead: 稽颡 is the solemn kowtow that touches the brow to the earth in mourning. An heir 稽颡 at the grave, forehead to the ground, while relatives weep. The word stays in rites and old texts, a brow bent low in respect and loss.