龢
(literary) harmonious (variant of 和[he2])
Closest English meanings
harmony (variant of 和)
The Calligrapher — Wēng Tónggē 翁同龢
Qing imperial tutor renowned for robust regular and running script.
Qing calligrapher (), master of running script — known for 同治、光绪帝师. Qing dynasty
Cultural Story
龢 is the ancient form of 和, harmony, originally drawn as pipes bound together sounding in tune — music as the model of cosmic order. Bronze inscriptions and classical texts used it for resonant, harmonious music; the Shuowen defines it as the fitting response between song and instrument. The Qing emperor's tutor Weng Tong龢 bore it proudly.
Common words & phrases
- 龢乐 harmonious music
- 时龢 timely harmony
Read the story behind the character
龢 now survives as an elegant variant of 和, met in calligraphy couplets, temple plaques, and vintage shop names. Compounds like 龢乐 — harmonious music — and 时龢, timely harmony of the seasons, give it a ceremonial air: a character whose bundled pipes still whisper, for readers who pause, that harmony was first heard, not spoken.
Own this character
Purchase delivers the original SVG of this glyph, brushed by Wēng Tónggē 翁同龢, ready to place on skin, paper, or screen.