The Calligrapher — Táo Hóngjǐng 陶弘景

Liang Daoist recluse and calligrapher; master of running script, author of letters on calligraphy

南朝梁 calligrapher (), master of running script/cursive script — known for 《瘗鹤铭》. Liang dynasty (Southern Dynasties)

Cultural Story

奋 means to stir and to strive. The 易经 speaks of a bird 奋 (rising) from the earth on its wings; 奋发 (exerting oneself) drove the 越王勾践 (King Goujian) after his humiliation to rebuild. 奋斗 (striving) filled 五四 (May Fourth) slogans of the young; 奋勇 (courageous) charged a 三国 battle line. The character is energy lifted into action.

Common words & phrases

• 奋斗 strive · struggle
• 勤奋 diligent · hardworking
• 兴奋 excited
• 奋发 exert oneself · rouse
• 奋勇 courageous · brave
• 奋力 strive · do all one can

Read the story behind the character

Graduates 奋斗 (strive) for a first job in a tight market; 勤奋 (diligent) students cram through the night. 兴奋 (excited) fans cheer at the goal; 奋发 (rouse) a Monday post about new habits. 奋勇 (courageous) captions a firefighter's rescue. The word still lifts effort — from a desk to a stadium, the same rising of the will.

Why this character belongs on skin

There is a bird in this character, and it is trying to fly. 奋 is a raptor stirring from the field, wings spreading to lift off the earth — the old form shows the great bird, the 隹, rising from the soil it was born into. From that root came every meaning of exertion: to stir oneself, to struggle, to 奋斗 against the weight. To carry 奋 is to claim the upward thrust, the refusal to stay grounded when the air is calling. We settle. We make small lives and call them fate. This mark is for the one who has felt the wings and answered. There is no shame in the earth; there is only shame in forgetting you could rise. Let it sit where your shoulders meet, a small engine of intention. Some of us were meant to lift. Ink 奋 and keep the bird awake in your chest, the daily yes to the harder, higher line.