The Calligrapher — Yán Zhēnqīng 颜真卿

Tang master of robust regular script; co-creator of the enduring 'Yan style'.

Tang calligrapher (709–784), master of regular script/running script — the Tang moral paragon whose upright, muscular regular script became the model of Chinese integrity in writing. Tang dynasty

Cultural Story

In the classical tradition: 哼 is a mouth character for humming, groaning, and snorting, not in the Shuowen. It is the body's involuntary music: a worker 哼唱, hums a tune, at his loom, a sick man 哼唧, mutters and groans, in fever, and a skeptic 哼哈, grunts, at flattery. The 哼哈二將 at temple gates show two generals who 哼 and 哈 — the comic, scornful voices guarding the sacred threshold.

Common words & phrases

• 哼唱 hum a tune
• 哼唧 mutter · groan
• 哼哈 grunt (sound)

Read the story behind the character

In the modern world: You 哼唱 — hum a tune — while cooking, and a sick roommate 哼唧, mutters and groans, for water at night. The 哼哈, grunt, of two uncles argues over chess, and a teen 哼s instead of answering mom. At the gym someone 哼s through the last rep; 哼 is the small sound of effort, annoyance, and the tunes we keep to ourselves.