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 水浒传, a hero thinks nothing of making 一趟, a trip, to Liangshan or 趟, wading, a cold river to reach it, the character mapping motion measured in journeys rather than miles. 赶趟 means to arrive in time, a train caught or a feast joined. The word keeps the stride of men always on the road.

Common words & phrases

• 一趟 one trip · one time
• 赶趟 be in time for
• 趟水 wade
• 走一趟 make a trip

Read the story behind the character

At a station, a father says he will make 一趟, one trip, to fetch medicine while a child 趟水, wades, through a puddle and a latecomer wonders if he still 赶趟, is in time, for the show. A neighbor asks you to 走一趟, make the trip, to sign a form. The Water Margin stride now runs a household's errands.