Introduction
The word calligraphy stems from the Greek word kalligraphia, or beautiful writing. Calligraphy has been regarded as one of the most important forms of art. It is not only loved and practiced by Chinese. Koreans and Japanese equally adore calligraphy as an important treasure of their heritage. It is remarkable that after thousands of years, the basic principles and major styles are still in use today.
People use the art of calligraphy not only for decoration but also for infusing their surroundings with positive energy. Calligraphic art is thought to bring good luck and keep away evil spirits. Feng Shui Masters use calligraphy hangings to promote and maintain a beneficial flow of energy. In Asia, most important structures - including government buildings, temples, palaces, and even homes and offices - are decorated with calligraphy.
Calligraphy has some unique characteristics. It is a language art, using letters as material and connecting to literature. It is also a molding art - not only the shapes but also the stroke lines that constitute the shapes are very important. The special tools are necessary: the brush that moves exquisitely, the paper that reacts delicately, and the ink stick that is only blank color - manifesting the effect of colorfulness, like light and shade.
Calligraphy attempts to bring words to life and endow them with character. The work is completed in seconds - there is no altering, touching up, or adding to the characters afterwards. This one-time only process of expression must follow the order of strokes from the beginning to the end.
The five principles of calligraphy are a good posture, a good knowledge of tools, control of your emotional being with one stroke of the brush, rhythm, and balance. Calligraphy is a combination of skill, imagination, wisdom and even courage.
By controlling the concentration of ink, the thickness and adsorptive of the paper, and the flexibility of the brush, the artist is free to produce an infinite variety of styles and forms. When writing, many calligraphers will forget all worries and even themselves, combining all thoughts in the beauty of their art. Thus it can be compared with Qigong, which also can mould and improve a person's temper and promote well being.
What Is Good Calligraphy?
If you can't read Chinese, how do you understand calligraphic characters? And what is good calligraphy?
It is not really necessary to be able to read the characters to appreciate calligraphy. Calligraphy is like visual music from the calligrapher's body. You just enjoy listening to the melody. When you see the word wind, can you feel that it is a gale or breeze? Similarly, is the calligraphy introducing you to the calligrapher's breathing and feelings?
Good calligraphy is a combination of the stroke technique of the calligrapher, the harmony of character structure, character meaning, and creative layout. The acceptance of the harmony of yin and yang, such as light and heavy, long and short, fast and slow, are all based on the Taoism. It is possible to feel chi or qi - internal energies - from calligraphic art.
Here is some guidance for distinguishing what is good calligraphy:
- Strong and clear straight lines
- Fluency of curved lines
- Unique slender lines that connect to the next letter
- Particular attention to shading
- Harmony of character structure
- Rhythm in the whole work
- Creative layout
Writing Styles
There are five major styles in Chinese calligraphy. Here you see these styles express the word writing, or book.
| Chinese Characters |
in Chinese |
in Japanese |
in English |
 |
zhuan-shu |
ten-sho |
seal style |
 |
li-shu |
rei-sho |
scribe's style |
 |
kai-shu |
kai-sho |
block style |
 |
xing-shu |
gyo-sho |
semi-cursive style |
 |
cao-shu |
so-sho |
cursive style |
Tools
| Paperweight |
The heavy metal bar prevents paper from moving. |
| Calligraphy paper |
Many kinds of paper are used, including handmade paper and rice paper. |
| Brush |
The brush is usually made from wolf, horse, cow or deer hair. |
| Inkstone and dark India ink |
Place some water in the inkstone and rub the ink stick form on the elevated part, wetting the ink until it melts to produce thick, liquid ink. |
Chinese Summer Camp
Jun 5, 2007 6:05 pm US/Eastern
Camp Immerses Kids In Sights & Sounds Of China
(CBS4) MIAMI DADE Miami-Dade public school students can learn the language and culture of China in a new program offered this summer.
Staffed by members of Florida International University's Institute for Asian Studies the Chinese Immersion Day Camp will be held all this week at Dr. Carlos Finlay Elementary School on Southwest 117th Ave. Its enrollment is limited from grades 4 through 8, from 9 am to 1pm., and it's free.
Mr. Harry Gao, curriculum coordinator, explained the program is also based on a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help students understand the importance China plays in the world.
For more information, please contact Dr. Harry Gao at (305) 995-2440.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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The Chinese Calligraphy workshops are one of them topics of the Chinese Summer Camp.
Workshops
  
On May 5, 2002
Calligraphic art works are: Flower; Sound; Power; Rest; and Bamboo
On February 10, 2002
Chinese New Year Special: The Year of the "Horse" and the "Happy New Year" Card
On December 9, 2001
Calligraphic art works are from Five elements, such as Wood, Water, Metal, Fire and Earth
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