Chinese Calligraphy

Chinese calligraphy is an Oriental tradition rooted in centuries of practice. It is an art of turning square Chinese characters into expressive images by the responsiveness of rice paper and speed and pressure of a pointed Chinese brush.

Illustrated history of Chinese calligraphy

There are five common scripts in Chinese calligraphy.

seal

clerical

cursive

semi-cursive

regular

In its long history of scriptural evolution and refinement, Chinese calligraphy was practiced within a strict framework and governed by restrictive rules. What discusses here is the general knowledge of its disciplines for non-Chinese readers rather than a teaching guide for beginners.