The Calligrapher — Péi Xiū 裴休

Tang chancellor and calligrapher; author of the Guifeng Stele in regular script.

Tang calligrapher (), master of regular script — known for 《圭峰碑》. Tang dynasty

Cultural Story

佩 is worn at the belt. A Han official hung a 玉佩 of jade that rang as he walked; the 诗经 praises a lord who 佩戴 virtue like ornament. To 佩服 a person is to carry their worth close, as one carries a stone. The character joins the body, the gift, and respect.

Common words & phrases

• 佩服 admire · respect · think highly of
• 佩戴 wear · bear · carry
• 佩带 wear · carry on person
• 玉佩 jade pendant · jade ornament
• 钦佩 admire · esteem · respect

Read the story behind the character

A nurse 佩戴 an ID badge; a fan 佩服 the striker's goal. At the museum a case holds a 玉佩 from a tomb. A colleague is 钦佩 for staying late. Wearing, admiring, and honoring all run through this word — a clip at the neck, a quiet respect, a jade fish on a cord.

Why this character belongs on skin

At the belt he wears a piece of jade, cool against the hip, a small weight that reminds him of who he is supposed to be — this is 佩, to wear at the waist, and by extension to admire deeply, to 佩服 the worthy. The gentleman of old never left the house without his pendant; the stone was a silent curriculum in restraint and grace. To 佩 is both to carry and to honor, the outer mark and the inner deference. There is a quiet power in admiration done right — to look at another and let yourself be bettered by the sight. If you have ever worn a person's memory like an ornament against your skin, you know this character. Wear 佩 where a necklace would fall, a mark of what you carry and whom you revere. The jade outlasts the man who wore it. Ink it as a vow that some things deserve to hang close, always, against the bone.