皆 calligraphy

皆

all; each and every; in all cases

Closest English meanings

all·every·both

The Calligrapher — Wén Zhēngmíng 文徵明

Ming literati master of refined regular and running script.

Ming calligrapher (1470–1559), master of running script/regular script/cursive script — Ming master of refined regular and running script who kept improving into his nineties. Ming dynasty

Cultural Story

皆 combines 比, people side by side, with 白, plainly spoken — everyone alike, openly stated. The Analects offers its warmest line: 四海之内皆兄弟, within the four seas all are brothers. Buddhist sutras close chapters with 皆大欢喜, all rejoicing, and histories record whole armies 尽皆溃散.

Common words & phrases

  • 尽皆 all
  • 皆悉 all · entirely
  • 皆大欢喜 all are delighted

Read the story behind the character

In the modern world

In daily speech 皆 feels dressed-up, so it lives in headlines and speeches: 出席者皆需佩戴口罩, all attendees must wear masks. Friends still toast 皆大欢喜 at New Year when a family dispute settles, and notices announce rules that 尽皆适用 to everyone, entirely.

Own this character

Purchase delivers the original SVG of this glyph, brushed by Wén Zhēngmíng 文徵明, ready to place on skin, paper, or screen.