The Calligrapher — Chǔ Suíliáng 褚遂良

Tang chancellor and regular-script master of elegant, balanced strokes.

Tang calligrapher (596–658), master of regular script — Tang master of graceful, tensile regular script favored by the imperial court. Tang dynasty

Cultural Story

洗 means to wash and make clean; the 說文 gives to rinse. The 禮記 orders one to 洗脸 and 洗手 at dawn. A reformed court official would 清洗 corruption, “washing” the administration as one 洗衣服 on a quiet, sunny courtyard day.

Common words & phrases

• 洗澡 bathe · take a bath · wash up
• 洗脸 wash face · wash one's face
• 洗手 wash hands · wash one's hands
• 清洗 clean · wash · purge
• 洗衣服 wash clothes · do laundry

Read the story behind the character

He 洗澡 (bathes) after the gym. Mom 洗脸 (washes her face) with cold water. Kids 洗手 (wash hands) before dinner. The party 清洗 (purges) disloyal members. She 洗衣服 (does laundry) on Sundays, the 洗 (washing) machine humming while she reads.

Why this character belongs on skin

Before the sermon, there is the water. The character means to wash, to rinse the dust of the road from your face, and it is no accident that the same basin that cleanses the traveler cleanses the soul. John poured the Jordan on willing heads; the baths of the east pour clear streams over a life grown heavy. To wash is to confess without words that you have been somewhere dirty and intend to leave it. The warrior scrubs his blade; the penitent scrubs his hands; the lover washes a child's feet without being asked. To carry this mark is to hold renewal as a daily rite, not a once-yearly pardon. You are not what stained you. The ink runs like the first clean cold shock of morning, the second chance made visible. Let it sit on your skin as a small mercy you granted yourself. We are washed before we are worthy. The water does not ask permission.