Origin and History of Chinese Calligraphy

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Chinese calligraphy, as an integral part of traditional Chinese culture, has a long and profound history, carrying with it ancient traditions and deep cultural significance. Understanding the origin and history of Chinese calligraphy helps us to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of this vast and profound art form.

Originating from Oracle Bone Script

The origin of Chinese calligraphy can be traced back to the era of Oracle Bone Script. During the late Shang Dynasty and early Western Zhou Dynasty, people used bones or turtle shells to carve characters, forming what is known as Oracle Bone Script. The emergence of Oracle Bone Script marked the embryonic stage of Chinese calligraphy, laying the foundation 基础 (jī chǔ) for the art of calligraphy and exerting a profound influence on its later development.

基础 (jī chǔ), noun, foundation

Examples:

  1. Education is the foundation of success.
    教育是成功的基础。
    Jiàoyù shì chénggōng de jīchǔ.
  2. The charity was built on a solid foundation of community support.
    这个慈善机构建立在社区支持的坚实基础上。
    Zhège císhàn jīgòu jiànlì zài shèqū zhīchí de jiānshí jīchǔ shàng.

Evolving into Seal Script

As society progressed and writing evolved, Oracle Bone Script gradually evolved into Seal Script. Seal Script is an ancient script characterized by its square, dignified strokes and is considered a classic in the art of calligraphy. During the Qin and Han Dynasties, Seal Script reached its peak 巅峰 (diān fēng), becoming the main script for official documents.

巅峰 (diān fēng), noun, peak

Examples:

  1. The climbers reached the peak of the mountain just before sunrise.
    登山者在日出前到达了山的巅峰。
    Dēngshān zhě zài rìchū qián dàodále shān de diānfēng.
  2. During the summer, tourist numbers often reach their peak in popular destinations.
    夏季时，热门目的地的游客数量通常达到顶峰。
    Xiàjì shí, rèmén mùdìdì de yóukè shùliàng tōngcháng dádào dǐngfēng.

Flourishing in Regular Script

In the later period of the Han Dynasty, a variant of Clerical Script, known as Regular Script, began to flourish and became mainstream. Regular Script features regular and meticulous strokes, becoming one of the representative styles of Chinese calligraphy. By the Tang Dynasty, Regular Script had reached its zenith, earning the title of "the foremost among the Eight Types of Calligraphy," and exerting a profound influence on later generations of calligraphers.

Key Sentences:

  1. Calligraphy originated from the oracle bone script era.
    书法起源于甲骨文时代。
    Shūfǎ qǐyuán yú jiǎgǔwén shídài.
  2. Yes, more and more people began to learn calligraphy during the Tang Dynasty.
    是的，到了唐朝越来越多的人学习书法。
    Shì de, dào le Tángcháo yuè lái yuè duō de rén xuéxí shūfǎ.
  3. The influence of calligraphy on future generations is profound.
    书法对后代的影响很深远。
    Shūfǎ duì hòudài de yǐngxiǎng hěn shēnyuǎn.

Sign up for a free trial now!

FAQ / Tips

We offer highly flexible class schedules that cater to your needs, with lessons available from 7am to 10pm Beijing time, seven days a week.This allows you to conveniently take lessons at any time and from any location that suits your schedule.
We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for all new students.If you are not satisfied with our services within the first month, you may cancel your lessons and receive a refund for any unused lessons.We will only charge you for the first month of lessons, and refund the remaining balance to you promptly.Our goal is to ensure your satisfaction with our services, and we strive to provide the highest quality of instruction and support to all of our students.
Yes, our website offers courses in both traditional and simplified Chinese characters. You can choose the character set that you want to learn based on your personal preference or learning goals.Our courses are designed to accommodate learners of all levels and backgrounds, so whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, we have resources that can help you improve your Chinese language skills.
Our students come from a wide range of ages, from 3 years old to over 80 years old. Our courses are tailored to each student's age and proficiency level to ensure they can receive maximum benefit and progress. Whether you want to learn Chinese as a second language or improve your existing Chinese skills, we can provide you with courses and resources that are suitable for you
We provide a wealth of Chinese teaching materials and learning resources, including but not limited to textbooks, workbooks, listening materials, reading materials, video courses, and online courses.Our teaching materials and resources are carefully selected and designed to meet the learning needs and goals of different learners. At the same time, our teachers will provide personalized teaching and guidance based on the learning characteristics and needs of students to ensure that students can learn and master Chinese language efficiently.
Before starting any Chinese language course, the teacher will assess your Chinese language proficiency level through a placement test.This helps to determine your current level of understanding and ability in Chinese, and allows the teacher to tailor the course materials and teaching methods to your specific needs and goals. The placement test may include assessments of your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.Based on the results of the test, the teacher will be able to recommend an appropriate course of study for you.