Chinese
calligraphy
陈洁薇
卫婧
王俊苏
晏红鸿
• The word "calligraphy" is
derived from a Greek
word meaning beautiful
writing.
• It has been appreciated
as an art form in many
different cultures
throughout the world, but
the stature of calligraphy
in Chinese culture is
unmatched.
Click
• Chinese calligraphy which
serves as a tool of information
communication by way of
writing materials infuses our
mode of thinking .
• Chinese calligraphy is a art
practice which manifests
Chinese people specific tinking
style,personality ,
temperament(性情） and
inclination（癖好）.
The features of
Chinese Calligraphy
Chinese philosophical thought
（哲学思想）:
• “Yin and Yang Five Elements”（阴阳五行）
• “Heaven and Man” （天人合一）
• “The Doctrine of Mean” （中庸中合）
The unique sense of time and space
• Blend mode of thinking and
physical movement.
• An activity of self-cultivation.
• An effective way to enjoy healthy
life and longevity.
History of Chinese
Calligraphy
• Origin:
• Calligraphy came with invention of the
characters .
• Gia Gu Wen, indeed, is a major style of
Chinese calligraphy.
Wang Hsi-Chih’s Lan Ting Prologue
• Wei & Jin
Dynastie:
• Calligraphy achieved
the best in the history
at this time.
Chinese calligraphy
theories published
during this period .
• Wei Heng's ( 衛 恆 )
• Calligraphy Postures of Four Styles ( 四
體書勢)
• Madame Wei's ( 衛 夫 人 )
• Map of Strokes Disposition( 筆 陣 圖 )
• Wang Hsi-Chih’s ( 王 羲 之 )
• Discussion on
Calligraphy ( 書 論 )
Basics of Chinese
Calligraphy
The Four Treasures
• The four treasures
of a Chinese
calligrapher's (or
scholar's) studio are
paper, brush, stone.
ink stick, and ink
Paper
• Paper is one of the most famous Chinese
inventions.
• Chinese practice calligraphy on Xuan
Paper that is used uniquely for calligraphy
and painting.
Brushes
• painted pottery, bamboo slips, and silks
are all writing materials for brush.
• softness and unrestrained freedom
• look more vivid, spirited, and rich in
different styles.
Ink stick / Ink stone
•
The ink stick is the unique pigment
used for Chinese brush painting and
calligraphy.
• The raw materials of ink stick are pine,
oil, lacquer（漆）, and etc.
• A good ink stick can produce beautiful
shades of ink density on a good and
smooth ink stone.
Others:
•
Water dropper / antique ink stone,
brush hanger
jade paperweights
Styles of Chinese
Calligraphy
篆書 Zuan Style (Seal Style)
• The unification of Zuan Shu was in the
Chin Dynasty
• Solid and stable（结实稳定）
• Small Seal Style (Tablet Shiao Zuan 小
篆)
• Great Seal Style (Da Zuan 大 篆 )
Lan Ye Tai ( 琅Yi
琊Shan
臺 ) &( Tai
San
( 泰Lee
山 Si
) Tablets
繹山
) by
隸書:Li Style(Clerical Style)
• germinated in the pre-Chin period ( 先秦
時代 ).
• simplified the complicated strokes of
Zuan Shu.
• used a bend （弯）instead of making a
roundabout turn
Chin Li on bamboo rolls
草書Tsao Style(Running Style)
• It was developed almost at the same
time with Li Shu
• the most simplified
• abstract and difficult
• "the Two Wangs"
(二王)
行書 Hsin Style(Walking Style)
•
•
•
•
•
A style in between Tsao and Kai Styles
established in the Han Dynasty
write fast，freely expressed
Hsin Tsao Shu ( 行 草 書 )
Hsin Kai Shu ( 行 楷 書 ).
Zhong Yao’s work in Hsin Kai Shu
楷書Kai Style(Standard Style)
Madame Wei’s small-scale Kai Shu
• Initiated（创始）toward
the end of the Han
Dynasty. （by 王次仲）
• symmetrical strokes （笔
划整齐对称）
• A reference standard for
modern Chinese
characters handwriting,
also develop another
handwriting —— pen
writing.
• Marks the final shape of
Chinese characters.
Influence of Chinese
Calligraphy
Calligraphy played an important
role in Chinese people’s daily life
•
•
•
•
•
Writing letters
official documents
literary works
national celebrations and offer sacrifices
weddings and funerals
• associations and societies
• professional calligraphy
• special calligraphy class
The spread of Chinese
Calligraphy
• In ancient time: where there are Chinese
people, there are Chinese calligraphy.
In our modern time: art ,architecture and
design
Calligraphy Special issue in
Showa period of Japanese
Protection of
Chinese Calligraphy
Culture
Government’s efforts
• Chinese Calligraphers Association
（中国书法家协会）
• National Art Center for the Study and
Writing calligraphy
（国家级书法艺术研究与创作中心）
• some colleges and
universities have established
professional calligraphy.
means of propaganda（宣传）
and popularization（普及） of
calligraphy.
• Professional newspapers and magazines
• Television and online media
• Calligraphy’s foreign
exchange activities
Chinese Calligraphy is a
part of China.
Chinese Calligraphy is
also among the world.
Thank you!
陈洁薇
卫婧
王俊苏
晏红鸿