This past August the Hsin Hsiang Art Center sponsored an intriguing display entitled, "The Beauty of Chinese Calligraphy." More than just an exhibition of lovely works of calligraphy, the display traced the relationship of the Chinese written language and daily life. Throughout history, continuing down to the present time, Chinese characters have been a powerful, living force that affects every area of life. The beautiful Chinese character is more than a mere artistic achievement, it is a powerful emblem of Chinese culture.

Historically, the first records of a written language in China come from the "oracle bones," or Chia Ku Wen, unearthed in the northeastern mainland province of Honan, in Anyang County. Carved on tortoise shell, these first pictograph representations of the natural environment date from the pre-Shang dynasty period, about 1766-1122 BC. The hieroglyphic-style representations include such important components of the natural world as the sun, moon, rivers, mountains, grass, trees, birds, and animals. Archeologists trained to decipher this first written language, have opened up the fascinating world of the early Shang period for present-day students to study.

The early characters began to evolve with the passage of time. The pictograph form gave away to the more abstract form of characters drawn on balanced lines. During the later Shang and early Chou period (1100 BC), character inscriptions graced the magnificent bronze worship vessels called, "ting." These character inscriptions provide valuable information as to the life during this early period of Chinese history.

The late years of the Chou marked the beginning of a long period of political instability throughout north and east China. This period which is recorded in the classic annals of "the Spring and Autumn" (722-484 BC) saw China divided up into rival kingdoms, each with their own written language. This continued until the period of the Chin Shih Huang or "first emperor of the united China." Under the rule of the formidable emperor (246-214 BC), the warring states were consolidated into one united country and to ensure coherent communication, the emperor established one written style. The responsibility for this momentous task went to his prime minister, Li Ssu. The unified style of written characters was called "Hsiao Chuan."

Further progress in time saw further evolution in the style and form of the written language. During the Han dynasty (206 BC-219 AD), a more refined version of calligraphic script was known as the "Li Shu." At the same time, however, another type of calligraphic writing came into appearance. This was the first of the "cursive" style of calligraphy, which was a free-flowing, less structured form of character script. This progression marked a radical departure from those first early pictographs which graced the oracle bones. The "standard" script marked the final evolution of formal writing, while a further evolution in the "cursive" style produced the "running" style of calligraphy. This expressive flowing form reinforced the expressive dimensions of the written Chinese script.

Calligraphy is more than just writing characters. It is an expression of the soul and spirit of the calligrapher. What the master of the writing brush felt in his heart was expressed in his calligraphy. As the ancient calligraphers pursued the beauty and expressiveness of the character, they began to feel the restrictions of the standard character form. This gave rise to another school of character writing that could be referred to as the "decorative style." Not unlike the more exaggerated, colorful style of character writing used in commercial art and advertising, the decorative characters have their roots in the first emperor's designation of the Chinese script. When the Chin Shih Huang Ti made his one united written language, there were eight types of written script. Of the eight, four types were designated as "decorative scripts." From this group came the Niao-Ch'ung script or as it translates in English, the "Bird and Insect" script. The calligraphic style resembled the shape of the two aforementioned animals. Exceedingly florid in style, the decorative style reached a zenith during the Tsin dynasty (265-420 AD). The original proponents of this style, the scholars and intellectuals began to find it too superficial and lacking in a deeper hidden meaning. Therefore, following this time, the decorative script became more widely used among the common people.

Beyond the standard written script, Chinese characters played and continue to play vital roles in other areas of life. During ancient times the use of inscriptions was the most common form of eulogizing a hero or commemorating a special event. Unlike ancient Greece and Rome, where such events were marked by the commissioning of grandiose statues, the Chinese favored written inscriptions. One of the most visually stunning legacies of this form are the bold character inscriptions which are carved into mountainsides or on the surfaces of large boulders. An expert calligrapher would prepare the script on paper, then skilled carvers would transfer his inscription onto the stone in the mountainside. The resultant pieces express a magnificence and sense of being one with the greater power of nature.

Traditional stone plates known as "Pei" (oblong in shape), and "Chieh" (round) also were inscribed with beautiful characters.

The written language is highly regarded by the Chinese and close scrutiny reveals just how predominate it is in the daily life of the society. On Taiwan there are still many shrines called "Hsi Tzu T'ing" where each year on the birthday of Ts'ang Chieh, the minister of the "yellow emperor" who is said to have invented the character, papers with script on it are collected and burned in a simple expression of respect.

Chinese architecture abounds in written script . Pillars, windows, walls, the paper hangings that are pasted on doors and walls--all are graced with traditional messages wishing luck and prosperity. Calligraphy by renowned calligraphers are also popular hangings that grace the home environment.

Festivals, such as the Chinese New Year, and birthdays all carry lucky felicitations written in beautiful script. The traditional folk arts of paper cutting and knotting are centered around the character.

Even in today's modern, technologically-oriented society, where calligraphy is now considered a specialized art, the influence of the written language is still much evident. Take a look at the popular clothing styles--shirts and ties with characters are popular.

Despite the evolutionary changes and the pressures faced by the present changing world, the Chinese character represents a society rich in a history, and culture that draws its source from this beautiful written script.

(Gerald Hatherly)

[Picture Caption]

1. A piece of a Taoist fortune script. The upper case is written in the "Chuan" style, while the lower is a standard character explanation. 2. An example of the early pictograph writing, "chia ku wen." 3. Knotting chords was one method of recording events before the invention of written language. 4. An inscribed vessel of the Yin period (180O-1200 BC). discovered during the Ching dynasty.

1. A piece of Han dynasty (206BC-219AD) "wa tang," circular tiles with inscription. 2. Beautifully inscribed characters adorn this unidentified pei. 3. A pei from the Ching dynasty (1644-1911AD). 4.5. Printing was a major advancement in the proliferation of the formerly hand-copied texts. 6. A beautiful pei discovered in the north central province of Shensi.

1.2.3. A contrast in calligraphy styles. From left: Ming dynasty "li shu," Sung dynasty "Chuan Shu," and T'ang dynasty "Ts'ao shu," (cursive script). 4. A Han dynasty inkstone with later inscriptions from the Ching dynasty. 5. A classic example of the "decorative characters." Inscribed with allegorical pictures are the characters representing eight virtues. 6. Imploring the heavens for rain, these characters are shaped like lightening.

1. Traditional Chinese architecture often features decorative character inscriptions, as seen in this door lintel. 2. An intricate inscription graces this temple door in Peikang. 3. This two-character inscription announces that a family ancestor once passed the imperial examinations. 4. A stone window screen carved in bamboo relief is embellished by the upper book-scroll with carved characters. 5. A traditional home in Meinung displays the decoratively carved character for long life. 6. The beauty of Chinese characters is revealed in the inscriptions around this entrance.

The many uses of characters in daily life. 1. A colorful display of living characters--audience participants hold painted boards at an athletic meet. 2. Gold jewelry frequently bears auspicious character inscriptions. 3. The wedding crown of a Ching dynasty consort combines a coral and pearl setting forming the character for "double happiness." 4. Cakes used as temple offerings often are inscribed with propitious characters. 5. Facial make-up for the Chinese opera character, Hsiang Yu, uses the character inscription for long life. This, however, expresses an ironic wish.

1. A piece of a Taoist fortune script. The upper case is written in the "Chuan" style, while the lower is a standard character explanation.

2. An example of the early pictograph writing, "chia ku wen.

3. Knotting chords was one method of recording events before the invention of written language.

4. An inscribed vessel of the Yin period （180O-1200 BC）. discovered during the Ching dynasty.

1. A piece of Han dynasty （206BC-219AD） "wa tang," circular tiles with inscription.

2. Beautifully inscribed characters adorn this unidentified pei.

3. A pei from the Ching dynasty （1644-1911AD）

4.5. Printing was a major advancement in the proliferation of the formerly hand-copied texts.

4.5. Printing was a major advancement in the proliferation of the formerly hand-copied texts.

6. A beautiful pei discovered in the north central province of Shensi.

1.2.3. A contrast in calligraphy styles. From left: Ming dynasty "li shu," Sung dynasty "Chuan Shu," and T'ang dynasty "Ts'ao shu," （cursive script）

1.2.3. A contrast in calligraphy styles. From left: Ming dynasty "li shu," Sung dynasty "Chuan Shu," and T'ang dynasty "Ts'ao shu," （cursive script）

1.2.3. A contrast in calligraphy styles. From left: Ming dynasty "li shu," Sung dynasty "Chuan Shu," and T'ang dynasty "Ts'ao shu," （cursive script）

4. A Han dynasty inkstone with later inscriptions from the Ching dynasty.

5. A classic example of the "decorative characters." Inscribed with allegorical pictures are the characters representing eight virtues.

6. Imploring the heavens for rain, these characters are shaped like lightening.

1. Traditional Chinese architecture often features decorative character inscriptions, as seen in this door lintel.

2. An intricate inscription graces this temple door in Peikang.

3. This two-character inscription announces that a family ancestor once passed the imperial examinations.

4. A stone window screen carved in bamboo relief is embellished by the upper book-scroll with carved characters.

5. A traditional home in Meinung displays the decoratively carved character for long life.

6. The beauty of Chinese characters is revealed in the inscriptions around this entrance.

The many uses of characters in daily life. 1. A colorful display of living characters--audience participants hold painted boards at an athletic meet.

2. Gold jewelry frequently bears auspicious character inscriptions.

3. The wedding crown of a Ching dynasty consort combines a coral and pearl setting forming the character for "double happiness.".

4. Cakes used as temple offerings often are inscribed with propitious characters.

5. Facial make-up for the Chinese opera character, Hsiang Yu, uses the character inscription for long life. This, however, expresses an ironic wish.