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What are the Four Elements of Calligraphy?

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

The four elements of Chinese calligraphy are the four tools that are required in order to create the calligraphy. The four elements are the brush, the rice paper, the ink, and the ink stone. Chinese calligraphy is an art that can take many years to master. In fact, even seasoned calligraphers, like practiced artists, continue to improve upon and make adjustments to their calligraphy.

Calligraphy must be created with a brush in order to effect the kind of sweeping lines that are a part of the print. The brushes that are used to write Chinese calligraphy are made of very specific materials. The handles of the brushes are made almost exclusively of bamboo wood; this gives the brushes a light but durable handle. The brush itself is made of hair, usually from horses, sheep, and sometimes weasels. Home-made brushes are sometimes made with hair cut from the head of a baby in the family. Not only is baby hair soft and fine, creating a distinct quality for the brush, but it is also a way to commemorate a child in the family.

A traditional quill may be used in calligraphy.
A traditional quill may be used in calligraphy.

The second element of Chinese calligraphy is the rice paper. Rice paper is the traditional kind of parchment used to print Chinese calligraphy on. Since rice is a standard crop in China, it is used for many items outside of the kitchen, including paper. Rice paper is quite thin and absorbs the ink that is used to write the calligraphy.

This brings us to the third and fourth elements of Chinese calligraphy: the ink and the ink stone. Generally, calligraphy is written in black ink. The ink is poured into an ink stone for ready use by the calligrapher. The ink stone is simply a bowl for the ink made of rock or earthenware.

Ink is one of the four elements of Chinese calligraphy.
Ink is one of the four elements of Chinese calligraphy.

Sometimes people practice calligraphy by using water instead of ink and by writing on rock, pavement, or some other surface that will dry easily and will not be damaged by the water. This is a good way to practice without wasting ink or paper. Also, when the water dries, it sometimes leaves a faint outline of the calligraphy that was written on the stone or pavement. Calligraphers can study these outlines to decide what they need to work on to improve their calligraphy.

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for MusicalExpert, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for MusicalExpert, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Discussion Comments

GrumpyGuppy

@dill1971: I do not recommend using India ink for calligraphy. It has a very adhesive and strong quality and doesn’t flow freely. When you go into an art supply store, you can ask specifically for calligraphy ink. You can get the traditional nib pen that is dipped into ink or calligraphy pens that have built-in ink cartridges.

You can also use calligraphy markers, which I highly recommend for a beginner. You just take the cap off and start writing. They come in a large variety of colors.

dill1971

Can you use India ink for calligraphy? Also, are there different types of calligraphy pens?

googie98

Interesting article. I never knew there were any "elements" of calligraphy. My sister uses calligraphy writing on all of her special occasion cards. It is really beautiful.

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    • A traditional quill may be used in calligraphy.
      By: Andrzej Solnica
      A traditional quill may be used in calligraphy.
    • Ink is one of the four elements of Chinese calligraphy.
      By: JeremyWhat
      Ink is one of the four elements of Chinese calligraphy.
    • Rice paper is the traditional paper used in Chinese calligraphy.
      By: michaklootwijk
      Rice paper is the traditional paper used in Chinese calligraphy.