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.
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.
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.