Art of Chinese Calligraphy

Throughout its long history, writing has been a big deal in China. Since the earliest dynasties, the skills of reading and writing have been highly respected. In fact, they form an important part of the Chinese art world.

Calligraphy, the art of writing with a brush is almost as old as writing itself. And though this art form dates back thousands of years, it is still very popular today.

How did writing become so important in Chinese culture? The answer probably goes all the way back to the Shang Dynasty. That's when characters were first carved in bronze. This way of doing things showed a kind of special meaning. In the eyes of common people, it made writing seem more important.

Calligraphy spread during the Han Dynasty when the necessary tools and materials were more widely used. First, there was the brush, made from bamboo and animal hair. Early ink, or lampblack, was made by burning pine wood and mixing it with water. Early forms of paper were invented around 105 CE. Finally, there was an inkstone, a smooth piece of stone used for mixing ink. Together, these tools were known as the“four treasures of study”in ancient China.

Calligraphy has been popular in China for thousands of years. Some say that it's an even higher art form than painting. Though foreigners may not always get it, there's something truly special about calligraphy. Every Chinese character has a strict stroke order. When viewing the results, you can trace the artist's process, and be reminded of every stroke of his or her brush. This allows for a close connection between artists and audience.

Calligraphy is something that's best experienced by doing. Luckily, this ancient art is still widely practised today. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and find yourself a teacher!