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

擐 is the act of buckling on. In the Zuo Zhuan a general 擐甲执兵 — dons his armor and takes up the spear — and rides out before the line is formed. It is a soldier's word, narrow and exact: not to wear, but to gird for war. The Wenxuan keeps it for the hero about to be blooded.

Common words & phrases

• 擐甲 to put on armor · to don one's armor

Read the story behind the character

擐 survives almost only in 擐甲 and in military history exams. No one says it on the street; a recruit 'puts on' his vest in plain words. Yet the image holds — the medic, the firefighter, the soldier 擐 their gear in the locker bay. It is a classical verb fossilized at the moment of going into danger.