The Calligrapher — Sòng Lián 宋濂

Ming founding-era scholar of upright regular script.

Ming calligrapher (), master of regular script — known for 明初文臣. Ming dynasty

Cultural Story

The Tang poet 贺知章, whose very name carries 贺, greetings, returned home old and white-haired, immortalized in his own 回乡偶书. As a courtier he 贺 the emperor's victories in verse. The character has since presided over every Chinese celebration where one person salutes another's joy, from births to promotions. His name remains a small lesson that celebration is itself a form of polish.

Common words & phrases

• 祝贺 congratulate · celebrate · best wishes
• 贺卡 greeting card · congratulatory card
• 庆贺 celebrate · congratulate
• 贺喜 congratulate · offer good wishes
• 贺年 New Year greetings

Read the story behind the character

Each Spring Festival, a child addresses 贺年 cards to grandparents while an office wall fills with 祝贺 banners for a colleague's promotion. A wedding guest hands a red envelope and 贺喜 the couple, and a chat group erupts in 庆贺 emojis. 贺 turns private happiness into something openly shared. The red envelopes and banners keep the old courtesy alive in ordinary streets.

Why this character belongs on skin

贺 is to congratulate, to carry a gift to another's door and honor what has come to pass. The character bears to add above to reach, as if celebration were abundance arriving at someone's threshold. The Magi bore gifts and 贺'd the newborn king; every culture keeps a feast for the soul's milestones. To carry 贺 is to honor the joy that is meant to be shared, the moment worth marking in ink. It is the tattoo of one who celebrates without embarrassment, who believes life's graces deserve a witness. There is a warm generosity in the blessing, the open hand, the door thrown wide. Let this character rest where others will see it, a small benediction you wear for the world. The ink is the congratulation you offer—to yourself, to love, to the improbable fact that you are here.