Zhong Yao

Who was Zhong Yao?

Zhong Yao courtesy name Yuanchang, was a calligrapher and politician who lived in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. He served in the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. Born in modern Xuchang, Henan, he was at one time the Grand Administrator of Chang'an.

Following Cao Pi's death and Cao Rui taking the throne, Zhong Yao was appointed as a Grand Tutor of Wei in 226. As a student of Cai Yong, a famous calligrapher, he also contributed to the development of standard script, and is known as the "father of standard script". His famous works include the Xuanshi Biao, Jianjizhi Biao, and Liming Biao, which survive through handwritten copies, including by Wang Xizhi. Qiu Xigui describes the script in Zhong's Xuanshi Biao as: