How to write 墨

墨 [mò] Meaning: Ink; black pigment used for writing and painting. 1. **Black pigment for writing and painting:** 一锭墨 (a stick of ink), 墨汁 (ink), 墨盒 (ink box), 墨迹 (ink traces), 墨宝 (precious calligraphic works; also used to respectfully refer to someone’s writings or paintings.) 2. **Various pigments used for writing and painting:** 墨水 (ink), 油墨 (oil-based ink), 粉墨登场 (a variety of colors make an appearance.) 3. **Black or close to black:** 墨黑 (jet black), 墨面 (a. black face; b. refers to tattoo punishment), 墨镜 (black sunglasses), 墨绿 (blackish green), 墨菊 (black chrysanthemum), 墨晶 (black crystal.) 4. **Corruption:** 贪墨 (embezzlement), 墨吏 (corrupt officials.) 5. **Ancient form of punishment involving tattooing and inking the face:** 墨刑 (tattoo punishment.) 6. **Surname.** 7. **Same as 默 (silent; to be quiet).** 墨 [mò] (Adjective) 1. **Black:** 墨黑 (black), often used in various literary contexts. 2. **Corruption; not clean in conduct:** 贪墨 (to be corrupt), 墨 (corrupt individuals). 3. **Same as 默; silent or tacit:** 不语 (not speaking). In ancient texts: 墨, “the ink used for writing” as found in 《说文》. 舐笔和墨, “lick the brush and ink” from 《庄子·田子方》. History references ink as used by scribes in 《周礼·占人》. Examples of usage: 墨丸 (a type of ancient ink), 墨本 (rubbing of inscriptions), 墨工 (ink maker), 墨妆 (makeup using ink on the face). Referring to arts: 墨客降席, “literary guests take their seats,” from 扬雄《长杨赋》. 墨妙 indicates exquisite writings or paintings. Regarding carpentry: 绳墨 refers to marking lines used by carpenters, as noted in 《国语·周语》. In ancient punishments, tattooing identified as 墨刑 for marking offenders, as recorded in historical texts. 墨家 represents a significant philosophical school founded by 墨翟 during the Warring States period. Further definitions of "墨": - **Black color** as in 《广雅·释器》: 墨, “black.” - **Opaque or dark appearance** mentioned in 《左传·僖公三十二年》. - Referring to corrupt officials as per 《左传·昭公十四年》. Ink's significance permeates discussions of art, governance, and history, marking it as a versatile term in the Chinese language.