model after ancients; follow ancient tradition
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to model after the ancients; to follow ancient models
literaryOften used in contexts of art, calligraphy, and literature to describe drawing inspiration from ancient masters while potentially adding personal innovation.
Tā他
de的
shū书
fǎ法
fǎ法
gǔ古
ér而
bù不
nì泥
gǔ古
，
bié别
jù具
shén神
yùn韵
。
His calligraphy models after the ancients without being bound by them, possessing a unique charm.
Zhè这
wèi位
huà画
jiā家
zhǔ主
zhāng张
fǎ法
gǔ古
，
rì日
rì日
lín临
xí习
gǔ古
rén人
míng名
jì迹
。
This painter advocates modeling after the ancients, practicing from ancient masterpieces daily.
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Fǎ法
gǔ古
shì是
wèi为
le了
gèng更
hǎo好
de地
chuàng创
xīn新
，
ér而
fēi非
jiǎn简
dān单
de地
mó模
fǎng仿
。
Modeling after the ancients is for the sake of better innovation, not simply imitation.