Calligraphy

Calligraphy, the art of writing Chinese characters with brush and ink, has long been ranked among China’s highest arts, traditionally even above painting. Its tools, brush, ink, paper and inkstone, are called the “Four Treasures of the Study”, and over the centuries the characters developed into five main styles: seal, clerical, regular, running and cursive script. A fine hand was the mark of an educated scholar or official, and masters such as Wang Xizhi of the 4th century, revered as the “Sage of Calligraphy”, are still copied by students today. Famous works were carved into stone so that ink rubbings could be taken, which is why collections like the Forest of Stone Steles in Xi’an draw calligraphy lovers from all over the world. You will see it everywhere, on temple boards, shop signs and cliff faces, and in many parks retirees practise with giant brushes dipped in water on the pavement; UNESCO listed Chinese calligraphy as intangible cultural heritage in 2009.