The Calligrapher — Shěn Càn 沈粲
Ming calligrapher of the Two Shen known for elegant, flowing cursive script.
Ming calligrapher (), master of cursive script — known for 沈度之弟. Ming dynasty
Cultural Story
縻 is the ox's halter — to tether without breaking. Imperial statecraft named its frontier policy 羁縻: grant borderland chieftains titles and trade, hold a loose rein rather than conquer outright, as Tang jimi prefectures did for centuries. Courtiers spoke of 系縻 talent with salary and honor; squander was written 縻费.
Common words & phrases
- 羁縻 keep in check · control · tie
- 牵縻 tether · drag along · bind
- 系縻 bind · tie up · fetter
- 縻絷 tie up · fetter · bind
- 縻费 wasteful · squander
- 縻络 tie and bind · connect
Read the story behind the character
縻 stays scholarly: textbooks explain Tang 羁縻 prefectures, strategy columns describe the old loose-rein frontier policy, and historical-fiction readers meet 縻络 — to win and hold hearts. An older generation writes 縻费 for squandered funds, though 糟蹋 and 浪费 do the everyday work now.
Own this character
Purchase delivers the original SVG of this glyph, brushed by Shěn Càn 沈粲, ready to place on skin, paper, or screen.