六 calligraphy

六

six; 6

Closest English meanings

six

The Calligrapher — Lù Jiǎnzhī 陆柬之

Tang calligrapher and nephew of Yu Shinan; his running-script 'Essay on Literature' survives

Tang calligrapher (), master of running script — known for 《文赋》. Tang dynasty

Cultural Story

The Yijing reads the world in 六爻, six lines layered to make each hexagram. The Legalist Han Fei counted 六 as the number of the sensible arts. The lunar almanac names 六月 the sixth month, when the wheat is cut. Six was a step in a count, a rung, not a round number of ceremony.

Common words & phrases

  • 六月 June
  • 六天 six days
  • 六岁 six years old
  • 六楼 sixth floor
  • 六合 six directions

Read the story behind the character

In the modern world

A calendar marks 六月 for the exams. The lift stops at the 六楼, sixth floor, where the language school rents a room. A child turns 六岁 and starts grade one. The weather holds for 六天 of sun. The 六合 fist form is practised in the park before the old men drift to chess.

Own this character

Purchase delivers the original SVG of this glyph, brushed by Lù Jiǎnzhī 陆柬之, ready to place on skin, paper, or screen.