Guest Author - Caroline Baker

Chinese Calligraphy is not only an art form, it is the basis for writing that cannot be ignored. Unlike in the West, where one can get away without knowing the basic strokes of calligraphy as long as the letters look correct, it is very difficult to get a Chinese characters right unless it is written in the correct order.

A new writer must learn eight basic strokes in order to complete any character they can form.

Dot: Basically as it sounds. It is normally a small mark that is at the top or the side of a character.

Horizontal Line: A line drawn horizontally, always starting from the left to the right.

Vertical Line: A line drawn up and down, always starting from the top to the bottom.

Downward Stroke to the Left: A slanted stroke that starts at the top and then leans towards the left. The ending is light, like the pen is being lifted until it forms a thin line.

Downward Stroke to the Right: A slanted stroke that starts at the top and then leans towards the right. The ending is solid, often thicker than when the line began.

Hook: This goes in a variety of directions but is always characterized as a mark at the end of either vertical or horizontal line that forces the pen back in the opposite direction, forming what looks like a fishing hook at the end.

Upward Stroke to the Right: A slanted stroke that starts at the left and angles upwards to end like the pen is being lifted up into a thin line.

Bend: A sharp bend that changes the direction of the line from either vertical to horizontal or vice versa.

In addition to knowing the strokes, one must know the order in which to write them. Each character has a correct order that the strokes must be laid down in order to be written correctly. The idea behind the order is for practicality. Using a wet brush and moving either up or down or across the paper to write, ancient Chinese had to be careful not to drag their long sleeves across what they had just drawn. Thus, there are some exceptions to the rule, but generally, the characters follow these rules:

Move from top to bottom.

Move from left to right.

Horizontal strokes first, then any vertical lines perpendicular to it

Outside frame of the character first and then inside

When forming a box, perform the left stroke, then top, fill the inside, and only when done close the bottom

Dots are typically one of the last motions made

Interestingly enough because of the strike order of the strokes, in ancient days it actually was quite difficult for someone left-handed to write Chinese. Thus, many left-handed people were forced to use their right hands when writing. Today, with the invention of pens and quicker drying inks, this isn’t as much an issue.

Since there are so many different Chinese words, as one writes, it is important not only to know how to write but to pick the "correct" word that makes the image complete. This involves picking certain words over others simply because the shape fits better or the symbols used to compose the base personify the image of what is being written clearer.

A trained observer can also tell a lot about the writer from the types of strokes they make. A strong, solid stroke can indicate one that is strong. A softer, flowing methods might indicate one more attuned to nature and the ebbs of life. Each time period in Chinese history is marked with different forms and which were favored of that time.

Thus, Chinese Calligraphy is truly an art form.