Chinese calligraphy (书法, shūfǎ) is one of China’s oldest and most respected art forms — an expression of character and cultivation that dates back over 2,000 years.
The Four Treasures of the Study
Brush (笔): Goat, wolf, or rabbit hair — each producing different line qualities.
Ink (墨): Pine soot and animal glue — rich and permanent.
Also worth reading:
Paper (纸): Xuan paper from Anhui — prized for absorbency.
Ink Stone (砚): Grinding stone for producing liquid ink.
The Four Scripts
Seal Script (篆书): Oldest, highly stylized, symmetrical.
Regular Script (楷书): Standard school script with measured strokes.
Running Script (行书): Semi-cursive, practical for daily writing.
Cursive Script (草书): Highly flowing, each character a miniature artwork.
Discover more in our Chinese Culture Complete Guide.
