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

懔 is fear held as awe. The historians use 懔懔 for the minister who carries the law like a cold weight, and the word is reverence as much as dread. The heart with 禀, to receive, is a fear received from something larger. It is the solemn quiver, not the cringe.

Common words & phrases

• 懔懔 in fear · in awe · solemn
• 危懔 in fear and danger

Read the story behind the character

懔 survives almost only in 懔懔, the adjective of the upright man who commands a nervous respect, and 危懔 the mood of a city before the storm. It is a word for the awe that keeps people straight, the fear that wears the face of honor.