After development of thousands of years, Chinese calligraphy has become a type of art forms with great cultural importance in China. However, few nations in the world have calligraphy as a form of art.
After development of thousands of years,
Chinese calligraphy has become a type of
art forms with great cultural importance in China. However, few nations in the world have calligraphy as a form of art.
In China, calligraphy has maintained a close rapport with the country's cultural development. What is the unique charm of Chinese calligraphy? As a type of art, what are the characteristics of it?
Calligraphy is an expressive art
According to an old Chinese saying, "the way characters are written is a portrait of the person who writes them." Expressing the abstract beauty of lines and rhythms, calligraphy is a reflection of a person's emotions, moral integrity, character, and educational level, accomplishments in self-cultivation, intellectual tastes and approach to life. Chinese characters, which convey ideas, are regarded as the most abstract and sublime art form.
Calligraphy is a practical fine art
Exotic calligraphic inscriptions written on paper, wooden plaques or stone tablets serve as decorations of a deep artistic value.
Calligraphy manifests the basic characteristics of all Chinese arts. Closely associated with paintings, which is one of the two leaders of Chinese art forms, calligraphy takes precedence over painting since it greatly inspired the art of painting. Moreover, calligraphy has influenced other typically Chinese art forms like classical poetry, seal-cutting, sculpture, traditional music and dance, architecture and handicrafts.
Calligraphy is a type of mental exercise
Calligraphy is a mental exercise that coordinates the mind and body. It is a most relaxing yet highly disciplined exercise for physical and spiritual well-being. Historically, many calligraphic artists lived to a ripe, old age.
Chinese calligraphy is an oriental art. Like chopsticks, calligraphy was once entirely Chinese, but as Chinese culture spread to Korea, Japan, and Singapore, calligraphy became a unique feature of the oriental art.