Study Chinese calligraphy is one of the oldest art forms that still practiced to this day. Although it still serves its more practical application—written communication—calligraphy is appreciated by the rest of the world as something more like abstract art, conveying more than just arbitrary words but expressions of creativity and of the human spirit. Picasso and Matisse openly acknowledged the influence of
Chinese calligraphy in their works. You can't help but notice the different strokes of the brush used in every writings and paintings. It's as if every single word is an art to master. I can't stop wandering if all Chinese were calligraphers. Even my kids asked me the same questions. Maybe we can learn their skills in doing the calligraphy. I read that there are special learning centers for these kind of skills. Even though we are not Chinese, they would still teach us the different steps of calligraphy. During the Tang Dynasty (618-905), Tu Meng introduced a way to describe the different calligraphy styles. They have become the standard and widely accepted criteria with which calligraphy art is described. There are 120 expressions, and the first in the list are ability, mysterious, careful, carefree, balance, unrestrained, mature, virile, grace, sober, well knit, prolix, rich, exuberant, and classic. Thus, a calligraphy art that represents the word “mountain” may be described as “a virile work in which strength is paramount.” This type of oriental arts were appreciated and recognized around the world. Many people are attracted to this art of writing, especially if their own name was the object of this art. They would even shout out loud that it was their names written in Chinese. In ancient Imperial China, mastery in the art of calligraphy was one of the most important considerations when appointing a person to the court. They liken the grace and careful planning needed to execute good calligraphy with the virtues needed to lead people. Mastering the art of calligraphy required devotion and discipline. Also, people of noble birth and intellectuals were all expected to be masters in the high art of calligraphy.