What is Chinese Brush Calligraphy?

Chinese brush calligraphy is a revered art form unique to Asian cultures. Although it originated in ancient China, it is also widely practiced in Japan and Korea, and somewhat in Vietnam and Singapore. ChineseCulture.org explains it this way: "Like the use of chopsticks, calligraphy was once entirely Chinese, but as Chinese culture spread to Korea, Japan, and Singapore, calligraphy became a unique feature of Oriental art."

To the artist, calligraphy is a mental exercise that coordinates the mind and the body. It is both a relaxing and highly disciplined exercise that also benefits one's physical and spiritual well-being.

While the artist has to conform to the defined structure of words, he can display the expression with great creativity and individuality. In other words, there is freedom within structure. Artists choose what style best suits the content of the passage and then by controlling the concentration of ink, the thickness and absorption of the paper, and the flexibility of the brush, the artist is free to produce an infinite variety of styles and forms. Because of this, brush calligraphy is universally regarded in Chinese culture to be the most revealing power of a person.

Unlike other visual art techniques, all calligraphy strokes are permanent, demanding careful planning and confident execution. To become an artist or expert in calligraphy, one has to practice word-by-word and stroke-by-stroke until the spirit of the practice gets into one's mind.

Historically, many calligraphy artists were well known for their longevity.