黥
surname Qing; to tattoo criminals on the face or forehead
Closest English meanings
to tattoo·branding punishment
The Calligrapher — Xú Wèi 徐渭
Ming mad genius regarded as father of wild, expressive cursive.
Ming calligrapher (1521–1593), master of cursive script — Ming wild genius whose cursive is expressive to the edge of chaos. Ming dynasty
Cultural Story
《説文解字》defines 黥 as “墨刑在面也” (the tattoo punishment on the face), a phono-semantic compound from the black radical with the sound 京. It was one of the five ancient mutilations: ink pressed into the skin to mark the convicted forever. The 黥面 branded thief or soldier alike in early law.
Common words & phrases
- 黥面 tattoo the face
- 黥刑 tattooing punishment
- 墨黥 tattoo (ancient punishment)
Read the story behind the character
The 黥面 (tattoo the face) and 黥刑 (tattooing punishment) appear in histories of old penal law, and 墨黥 names the same ancient brand. Today tattoo artists and historical novels revive 黥 for facial ink, reframing a shame-mark of conviction as chosen body art and period authenticity.
Own this character
Purchase delivers the original SVG of this glyph, brushed by Xú Wèi 徐渭, ready to place on skin, paper, or screen.