The practical Tao of calligraphy in history and today

Calligraphy is closely related to Taoism. Calligraphy has played a special role in the long history of China and this has added to its intrinsic mystery. Calligraphy can help a person with developing introspection and self-restraint in daily life. In ancient times, all people from the emperor to everyday people respected the practice of calligraphy as an important and useful skill which affected daily life.

People who had status or achieved great feats in the history of China were generally outstanding in calligraphy as well. In Chinese history, whether one’s brush writing was refined or not was directly related to their success in life. Calligraphy cannot be simply equated with the method of handwriting of other cultures ​​in the world. The reason is that ShuTao or the Tao of calligraphy allows the practitioner to cultivate Tao. Tao-cultivation means that practitioners gain enormous amounts of positive energy and ability through daily practice, the natural consequence of which is success in business and personal matters.

Below are some legendary people in history who were also outstanding calligraphers.

  1. The famous General Suo Jing (239-303) of the Western Jin Dynasty. According to historical record, Suo Jing was the most gifted calligrapher of the Zhang Cao style after the cursive saint Zhang Zhi.
  2. The saint of calligraphy, General Wang Xizhi (303-361) of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. The profound work “Preface of Lanting gathering” by Wang Xizhi is widely recognized as the best brush writing in running style in history.
  3. A virtuous duke of Lu County, the Great General Yan Zhenqing (709-784) of the Tang Dynasty. Yan Zhenqing’s calligraphy was simple, unadorned, solemn and weighty. His style of calligraphy encompasses the deep and profound history of China. The letter of condolence to his nephew in running style gave his work the status of the second best Chinese calligraphic work in history.
  4. The great gifted scholar Su Shi (1037-1101) of the Song Dynasty. Su Shi persisted in the old method of the calligraphic style of the Jin and the Tang Dynasty. He completed the great calligraphic copybook of “Cold Food” in running style, which gave his work the status of the third best calligraphy piece in Chinese history.
  5. The brave and fierce commander, the ever-victorious Yue Fei (1103-1142) of the Song Dynasty. Yue Fei’s cursive style of calligraphy is like a flying dragon and shows a full and positive spirit filled with heroism.
  6. The founder of The People’s Republic of China, Mao Zedong (1893-1976). Mao Zedong was not only a great thinker, but also a commander who triumphed in every battle he fought. His cursive style of calligraphy is uninhibited and full of the spirit of revolution.

Below is a brief introduction of two calligraphic works typical of emperors:

  1. Emperor Li Shimin (599-649) of the Tang Dynasty. Li Shimin was good at both civil and military affairs. His famous and outstanding calligraphy works were the Wenquan inscription, the Jinci inscription and The Copybook of the Screen.
  2. Emperor Zhao Gou (1107-1187) of the Song Dynasty. Zhao Gou’s regular and cursive style of calligraphy was extremely outstanding. His representative works were The Prose of Roselle and The Theory of Health Preserving by Ji Kang. His free and easy strokes were tactful, natural and smooth. He acquired the charm of the Jin people’s calligraphic style. His skilled cursive lettering and his idea of the brush were suave and coherent. His writing flowed smoothly and mixed both calm and vigorous strokes.

Following the ancient masters of old as an example by practicing calligraphy every day, you will be able to ultimately acquire the great Tao and achieve great success in all your undertakings in both social and business endeavours.