Chinese Calligraphy

Chinese calligraphy is the art writing of Chinese characters in both script and brush strokes, often using only flowers and animals as the characters themselves. This intricate and complex form of art has long been practiced in China and was generally held in great esteem throughout East Asia. Now Chinese calligraphy designs are being used in everything from decorative lettering on letters and invitations to official documents to more modern applications such as jewelry and tattoos.

Chinese calligraphy can be difficult for non-Chinese to read. This is largely due to the fact that Chinese characters have been written from left to right with no spaces or dots. It is also written using a complex system of radicals that have been arranged in such a way as to make the most possible number of strokes per minute possible. These radicals are then combined into compound words, or 'sounds'. Each sound has its own specific meaning and is associated with particular Chinese animals and phrases. For this reason, it is not only the Chinese who use this type of writing; nowadays it is also common among Westerners who have become interested in Chinese culture.

Some types of calligraphy date back to as early as the fourth and fifth centuries. They are sometimes referred to as "Sanscrit scripts" (Sansi being a derivative from Sanskrit for sacred). The very earliest traces of Chinese calligraphy can be seen on a stone inscription at Xunyu, on a seal from the Later Dynasty, and on the seal of the Later Nanda Dynasty. All evidence points to the involvement of Buddhist monks, who were the primary authors of Buddhist texts and also wrote extensive works of calligraphy.

Calligraphy styles differ according to the period in which they were created. For instance, the Minoan style calligraphy comes from the period of the Myths and the earliest known examples can be found on the step of the fifth century B.C. and on tablet seals of the second century A.D. The Minoan period corresponds to the rise of writing skill and sophistication. The Shang dynasty period witnessed the greatest development in Chinese calligraphy. This was brought about by the invasion of Taoist priests who brought with them the art of this technique.

One might wonder why this art suddenly flourished so quickly. In the first place, it seems to have had very positive influences. Chinese writers were highly encouraged to write - some even believed that it was their duty to do so. When ever they encountered difficulties in their work, they were directed to the Buddhist temples or to palaces, where there were monks who were trained in the art of calligraphy.

Another important influence was the arrival of the West, in the form of European knights who sought refuge in China. It is recorded that the first Chinese brush was used by them to depict their battle victories over the Vikings. At the beginning of the ninth century, China was closed to all but the highest-ranking officials. This was done, apparently, to discourage any attempt by rebellious subjects to remove the government.

The nineteenth and the early twentieth century saw the flowering of a number of famous calligraphers. Such names as Hui Zong, Li Xian, and Shen Bau had a profound impact on the development of calligraphy in China. However, the creation of the modern styles of calligraphy by Tang Dynasty scribes soon swept away any prior individuality among the Chinese calligraphers. The scribes were mostly illiterate, and their work showed little technical merit. They spent much of their time improving upon their own style.

Modern Chinese calligraphy has experienced a great revival. However, there is still considerable room for improvement. Many contemporary calligraphers are unable to write in the styles that they follow because they lack the skills of their forefathers. Calligraphy writing requires skill, speed, familiarity with the script, and, above all else, familiarity with the individual character used to compose the text. The majority of modern calligraphers cannot meet this requirement.