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Chinese Calligraphy

Chinese Calligraphy Chinese calligraphy, a beautiful writing, has been developing for about 4000years. The first examples were the inscriptions that appeared on oracle bones and tortoise shells in Shang Dynasty 1300 BC.   This beautiful writing has been evolved into a high visual art form.

Currently Chinese calligraphy remains the following five major scripts (styles).  The character "yue" meaning "moon" is used here as examples of different styles.

Seal Scripts (Zhuan Shu): is the archaic style found on oracle bones and tortoise shells.

Regular Scripts (Kai Shu): closest to the modern printed form.

Clerical Scripts (Li Shu): in the style of ancient inscriptions on stone.

Grass Scripts (Cao Shu): a cursive style, the most individual handwritten style.

Running Scripts ( Xing Shu):semi-cursive scripts. Shorthand style suited to private communication.        

Great calligraphers were produced throughout many dynasties. Wang Xizhi (303-367) and his son Wang Xianzhi (344-386) were known as the "Two Kings of Chinese calligraphy". Wang Xianzhi reached a position in calligraphy comparable to that of Confucius in philosophy.

The instruments used for Chinese calligraphy are called the "Four Treasure of Study". They are the brush, the ink, the ink stone and the paper.

In today's China, Calligraphy, as a cultural treasure, is continually practiced and cherished by its people. To collect masterpieces produced by ancient or contemporary famous calligraphers is a fancy and costly hobby. The prices can be 5 figures per character.

We are honored to have two famous calligraphers join Hometownchina.  Want to see and purchase their beautiful artworks?  Please click here.

How to hold a brush