Five Things You Must Know about Chinese Calligraphy

Chinese calligraphy, the unique art of writing Chinese characters, is an ancient yet distinctive form of expression. It not only fulfills the practical function of information exchange, but also reflects the calligrapher’s aesthetics and personality through the process of writing Chinese characters.

A Brief History

 The development of Chinese calligraphy is deeply rooted in the evolution of Chinese characters, and its history can be traced back 3,500 years.

The earliest relics of Chinese characters, found on oracle bones from the late Shang Dynasty (1600-1046BC), exhibit a primitive form of calligraphy with single-line strokes that are thin and powerful. These inscriptions mark the beginning of Chinese calligraphy, showcasing the symmetrical beauty of lines and bars.

 As time passed, the art of calligraphy flourished during the Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-256BC), with inscriptions on bronze vessels becoming increasingly refined and elegant.

 During the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE), the emperor standardized the script, making Xiaozhuan (小篆) the official script. This script featured long, flat strokes and an isolated, complicated structure, but it was later replaced by a simpler script known as Lishu (隶书) that was easier and faster to write.

The Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) saw the further development of calligraphy, with various styles emerging, including Kaishu (楷书), which became the dominant script for official documents.

By the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties (220 – 589 CE), both the development of various calligraphy styles and the calligraphy theory system had been completed, therefore Chinese calligraphy entered a mature period.

Five major styles

Seal Script (Zhuanshu 篆书):

Seal Script is the earliest fully formed Chinese script system, dating back to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE). Characterized by its rounded, symmetrical shapes and even distribution of strokes, it was primarily used for official seals and inscriptions on stone, bronze, and jade.

 Clerical Script (Lishu 隶书):

Emerging during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE), Clerical Script marks a significant transformation in Chinese calligraphy. It is characterized by simplified shapes, flattened strokes, and a more angular appearance compared to Seal Script. The transition from round to square forms and the introduction of brushwork techniques laid the foundation for subsequent styles. Clerical Script was used extensively for official documents and was instrumental in the spread of literacy and bureaucracy.

Regular Script (Kaishu 楷书):

Regular Script is the most standardized and widely used form of Chinese calligraphy today. It originated in the late Eastern Han Dynasty and flourished in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE). Regular Script is characterized by clear, precise strokes, uniform proportions, and a sense of balance and harmony. Each character is written with great care and attention to detail, making it an ideal script for reading and writing in modern times.

 Running Script (Xingshu 行书):

Running Script is a more fluid and dynamic style of calligraphy that evolved from Regular Script. It combines the clarity of Regular Script with a sense of speed and movement, creating a more casual and expressive appearance. Xingshu is often used for personal letters, diaries, and other informal writings where the artist seeks to convey emotion and personality through their brushstrokes.

 Cursive Script (Caoshu 草书):

Cursive Script represents the most abstract and highly stylized form of Chinese calligraphy. It originated as a rapid method of writing and has evolved into an art form characterized by simplified forms, interconnected strokes, and a strong sense of rhythm and dynamics.

Three elements in Chinese calligraphy

Maneuverability. This involves the movement of the brush on paper, encompassing the application of basic strokes such as dots, horizontal, vertical, oblique upwards, and oblique downwards.

Structure. It refers to the shape and layout of characters, encompassing the combination of strokes and the balance of the character. The quality of structure directly impacts the visual effect and reading comfort of characters.

Composition. This, on the other hand, pertains to the overall layout and rhythm of the entire work, including the spacing between lines and the connection between characters. Composition is the soul of calligraphy, determining the overall effect and artistic appeal of the work.

Materials and tools

The basic tools for calligraphy are collectively known as the "Four Treasures of the Study" (文房四宝). These include the writing brush (毛笔), ink stick(墨), paper (纸), and ink slab (砚).

Brush:

While writing brushes are varied, white-goat-hair, black-rabbit-hair and yellow-weasel-hair brushes are the main ones.

Ink stick:

The ink stick is a unique pigment used for Chinese traditional painting and calligraphy. The most famous ink stick is Huimo (Anhui ink stick), made of pines that grow on Huangshan Mountain in Anhui Province.

Paper:

Paper was invented by Cai Lun in the Eastern Han Dynasty. While paper comes in many varieties, Xuan paper, produced in the Jing Prefecture of Xuanzhou (today's Anhui Province), is considered the best for Chinese calligraphy.

Ink slab:

ink slab is a rectangular or circular block of solid ink, made from a combination of soot, resin, and natural gums, that needs to be ground on a smooth stone surface with water to create liquid ink. Using a hard, smooth stone, liquid ink can be produced easily by rubbing the ink stick against the stone.

Famous Calligraphers

Wang Xizhi (王羲之)

Period: Eastern Jin Dynasty

Born in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (around 303-361 AD), Wang Xizhi is widely regarded as the "Sage of Calligraphy" and a pivotal figure in the development of Chinese calligraphy.  His style, characterized by harmony, elegance, and a natural flow, set the standard for generations of calligraphers to come. Known as the "First Running Script in the World," Preface to the Lanting Pavilion Collection is a masterpiece of calligraphy that exemplifies Wang Xizhi's elegant and natural style. Composed during a spring gathering, it captures the essence of his refined brushwork and flowing lines, each character "floating like clouds and graceful as dragons."

Yan Zhenqing (颜真卿)

Period: Tang Dynasty

Yan Zhenqing, a calligrapher in Tang Dynasty, was good at running script and regular script.. Written in sorrow and anger after the death of his nephew, "Jizhini Gaotang"(《祭侄文稿》) is renowned as the "Second Running Script in the World." Its spontaneous and emotional brushstrokes reveal Yan Zhenqing's mastery of calligraphy, blending power and grace.