The Calligrapher — Lǐ Yōng 李邕
Tang running-script master famed for his stele inscriptions.
Tang calligrapher (678–747), master of running script — known for 《麓山寺碑》（李北海）. Tang dynasty
Cultural Story
此 meant this, the thing right here at hand. The Shuowen reads it as a person pointing to what is near, the opposite of distant 彼. Classical speakers used 此 to anchor a sentence in the present moment, and historians wrote 此地为家 to say here is home. To know 此 was to be sure of where and when you stood.
Common words & phrases
- 因此 therefore · thus
- 如此 so · like this
- 此外 besides · in addition
- 此时 now · at this time
- 此地 here · this place
- 从此 from now on · henceforth
Read the story behind the character
Daily Chinese relies on 此 at every turn: we say 因此 therefore after a reason, describe things 如此 so or like this, and add 此外 besides for extra points. A clock shows 此时 now, a map marks 此地 here, and a vow begins 从此 from now on. From a text message to a farewell, 此 pins our words to the here and the now.
Own this character
Purchase delivers the original SVG of this glyph, brushed by Lǐ Yōng 李邕, ready to place on skin, paper, or screen.