The Calligrapher — Lǐ Ruìqīng 李瑞清

Qing 'Northern' master of seal and clerical script, founder of the jinshi school.

Qing calligrapher (), master of regular script/seal script — known for 清道人. Qing dynasty

Etymology & Meaning · 字义溯源

2 · The Character: 将 Jiāng (1st tone; also jiàng). The Shuowen Jiezi defines 將 as 「帥也。从寸，酱省声」 — to command, to lead; the hand (寸) at the reins. The Songs plead 「将子无怒，秋以为期」 (《诗经·卫风·氓》) — 'pray be not angry; keep autumn for our time', where 将 means 'please / lead'. The Changes say 「君子将有为也」 — 'the noble is about to act.' Qu Yuan writes 「老冉冉其将至兮」 (《离骚》) — 'old age slowly draws near.' So 将 carries 'lead / command' (将帅), 'will / about to' (将来), and 'please / tend' (将养). It is a caution character: as the particle 'will / about to' a lone 将 reads as a sentence cut short, waiting for its verb. Pair it — 将行 (about to depart), 将士 (officers and men), or 将心 (one's heart). Element tables disagree: most assign Fire, some Wood — (verify).

Cultural Story

将 shows a hand with a vessel, originally meaning to hold or lead. It became the word for a 将军 (general) who led troops, and for the future — 将来 (what is to come). A soldier would 将就 (make do) in the field, and armies of 将士 (officers and men) marched under seasoned 将领 (commanders).

Where a Western reader can stand: Where a Western reader can stand: 'to lead, will, about to' — as the teacher's hand: Li Ruiqing, who trained Zhang Daqian, gives 将 the meaning of leadership practiced on the young. Honest caveat: 将 alone is a grammar trap — pair it and disclose the surname.

Common words & phrases

• 将来 future · in the future · time to come
• 将军 general · commander · high-ranking officer
• 将就 make do · put up with · manage
• 即将 soon · about to · on the point of
• 将士 officers and men · soldiers · officers and troops
• 将领 general · commander · military leader

Read the story behind the character

Your 将军 (general, commander) in a chess app moves first; 将来 (in the future) you hope to retire early. The train is 即将 (about to) leave, so 将就 (make do) with a standing spot. 将士 (officers and men) in films inspire, and a good 将领 (military leader) earns loyalty. The word bends from battle to patience.