a general term for reeds; specifically refers to [[芦|蘆|lu2]] and [[荻|荻|di2]], which are two types of aquatic plants

(literary) an exemplary mother or a good female teacher; used to praise a mother's devotion to her children's education. Based on the story of Ouyang Xiu's mother, who taught him to write using a reed stalk as a pen.

(idiom) to teach one's children with great maternal patience; literally to write on the sand with reeds while teaching one's son

A pen made from a reed stalk, often associated with historical accounts of scholars practicing calligraphy on sand or dirt when paper was unavailable