The Calligrapher — Shěn Dù 沈度

Ming court calligrapher famed for refined regular script.

Ming calligrapher (), master of regular script — known for 台阁体代表. Ming dynasty

Cultural Story

Laozi warns that “千里之行，始于足下” — the journey of a thousand li begins beneath the foot. 千 was the number that meant far beyond counting; 千里 the distance a letter or a refugee traveled, 千秋 the reign a court wished its prince. The word stretches the small hand to the horizon.

Common words & phrases

• 千万 must · ten million
• 一千 one thousand
• 千里 thousand li
• 千秋 thousand years
• 千岁 Your Highness
• 千变万化 ever-changing

Read the story behind the character

A sale screams 千万 in a warning text; 千里 is the gap a video call closes between migrant and child. 千秋 names the scenic spot a tour ad sells, and 千岁 the old form of address a period drama keeps for a prince. 千变万化 is the weather app's hourly mess, and 一千 the bill a market totals.