The term 'Tian Ou Zi' first appeared in July of the 31st year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1692), when a person from the Eight Great Mountains, at the age of 67, hastily signed the four characters' Tian Xin Ou Zi 'on the scroll of the' Lotus House Little Bird Picture '. The Eight Great Masters used seal script to carve the seal script "Tian Ou Zi" on other works, so "Tian Ou Zi" is also "Tian Xin Ou Zi". Among them, "Yan" can be seen as the combination of "Heaven" and "Heart". When pronounced as "Shang Sheng", it is a self proclaimed modesty, indicating that one is not qualified but still participates in the same category, hence the terms "Yan Lie" and "Yan Ju". Therefore, 'Tian Ou Zi' humbly expresses the meaning of not being qualified to be with seagulls and birds, but still being with them, reflecting a humble literary quality. There is also a saying that the phrase "Tian Ou Zi" is taken from the poem "Liezi", which says "There are good gulls on the sea." This fable advises people that if they are tempted internally, their emotions will be exposed externally. Even birds will know that the heart is cute inside, and they will oppose the heart and pursue sincerity. Therefore, the name of this font design, 'Tian Ou Zi', not only reflects that the creative foundation of this font comes from studying the calligraphy of the Eight Great Mountain People, but also expresses the hope to learn the humble, simple, plain and innocent qualities of the Eight Great Mountain People.
