Chinese Calligraphy | Yangtze River

Chinese calligraphy, as a unique art form of the Chinese nation, is not only the writing rules of Chinese characters but also an intangible cultural heritage that bears the spiritual core of Chinese civilization. Since it was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009, calligraphy has become a window for the world to understand China with its unique artistic charm and cultural value.

Chinese calligraphy is an artistic practice that utilizes brushes, ink, paper, and other materials as its primary tools. Through the writing of Chinese characters, it not only fulfills the practical function of information exchange but also integrates people's reflections on nature, society, and life through unique stylistic symbols and rhythmic brushwork. In this way, it expresses the distinct thinking patterns, personality traits, and emotional interests of the Chinese people.

Historical origin

A section of "Yan Qinli Stele" by Yan Zhenqing, Tang Dynasty

The history of Chinese calligraphy can be traced back to the oracle bone inscriptions of the Shang Dynasty. These symbols carved on turtle shells and animal bones were not only the embryonic form of writing but also the starting point of calligraphy art. Through the evolution of bronze inscriptions in the Zhou Dynasty, small seal script in the Qin Dynasty, and clerical script in the Han Dynasty, calligraphy gradually transcended from practical recording to artistic expression. During the Wei and Jin dynasties, regular script, running script, and cursive script matured successively. Wang Xizhi's "Lanting Xu" is even hailed as "the first running script in the world," establishing a paradigm for later calligraphic aesthetics.

During the Tang Dynasty, calligraphy reached its heyday. Masters such as Ouyang Xun and Yan Zhenqing elevated regular script to a peak of strict adherence to rules, while Zhang Xu and Huaisu's wild cursive script showcased the free spirit of art. After the Song and Yuan dynasties, literati calligraphers like Su Shi and Huang Tingjian emphasized "artistic interest," infusing their personal emotions into brush and ink, further enriching the expressive power of calligraphy.

Artistic characteristics

1. The unique media of the Four Treasures of the Study

Calligraphy centers around the brush, ink, Xuan paper, and inkstone as its core tools. The flexibility and resilience of the brush, the variation in ink density and dryness, and the absorbency of Xuan paper collectively form the material foundation of calligraphy art. As Kang Youwei once said, "The beauty of calligraphy lies entirely in the use of the brush." The characteristics of the tools directly influence the style and spirit of the work.

2. Artistic Expression of the Five Script Styles

Seal Script: Ancient and elegant, with uniform lines, commonly seen in seals and inscriptions on bronze and stone;

Clerical Script: Horizontal strokes resemble the head of a silkworm and the tail of a swallow, with a flat structure, highlighting the solemn beauty of the Han Dynasty;

Regular Script: Upright and rigorous, with clear brushwork, forming the basis of modern Chinese character writing;

Running Script: Fluent and natural, lying between regular script and cursive script, combining practicality and artistry;

Cursive Script: Unrestrained and wild, expressing dynamic rhythm with simplified strokes, such as Zhang Xu's "Four Ancient Poems".

3. The Pursuit of Vivid Artistic Conception and Spirit

Calligraphy emphasizes the elements of "spirit, qi (vital energy), bone structure, flesh (form), and blood (life force)." Through the variation in brushwork's strength, speed, and rhythm, the density and emptiness of structure, and the orderly arrangement of composition, it conveys the writer's emotions and realm. For example, Yan Zhenqing's "Memorial to My Nephew" was written with feelings of grief and indignation, with alternating dry and moist ink strokes, and is praised as "the second best running script in the world."

A section of "Lanting Xu" by Wang Xizhi of the Eastern Jin Dynasty

As an important carrier of Chinese culture going global, calligraphy conveys Eastern aesthetics to the world through overseas exhibitions, Confucius Institutes, and other channels. With the successful inscription of the "Spring Festival" on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2024, calligraphy has become a significant element in showcasing the Chinese New Year atmosphere, attracting global attention.