The Yin-Yang Way of Calligraphy
Text/Tan Yanzhen
The Taoist thought, represented by Lao and Zhuang, advocates the nature of the Tao, with the "Tao" as the core, and "one yin and one yang is the Tao." "Talk about the laws of yin and yang in all things." Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching says, "The Tao gives birth to one, one life to two, two to three, and three to all things." All things bear the yin and embrace the yang, and the breath thinks that it is harmonious. Zhuangzi said, "Only the Tao gathers the void." Taoists believe that the yin and yang between heaven and earth form everything, including life. The embodiment of yin and yang in calligraphy is mainly the relationship between rigidity and softness, movement and static, and the relationship between yin and yang is the indispensable two factors for the production, development and evolution of Chinese characters into the art of calligraphy.
Wang Changling,"Furong Lou Sends Xin Gradually"
In the art of calligraphy, there is a relationship between yin and yang everywhere. Manifested in the use of the pen: Yang is manifested as gui angle revealed, Yin is manifested as pen edge introverted; Yang is manifested as pointillist straight, Yin is manifested as dot painting soft curve; Yang is manifested as taking the position with a square pen; Yin is manifested as taking the position with a round pen; Yang is manifested as a thick line, and Yin is manifested as a thin line; Yang is expressed as a fast and rapid pen, and Yin is expressed as a slow and slow stroke; Yang is manifested as the outward expansion of the pen edge, and Yin is expressed as a pen edge hidden. It is manifested in the use of ink: yang is expressed as dry ink and thirsty ink, yin is expressed as wet ink and moist ink; yang is manifested as light ink, and yin is expressed as thick ink. Manifested in the knot body: yang is manifested as stroke outreach, yin is expressed as stroke introverted; yang is expressed as glyphs on the side, and yin is expressed as glyph flat. It is manifested in the aspect of chapters: Yang is manifested as loose layout, yin is manifested as tight layout; yang is manifested as zhangfa taking the odd and dangerous side of the situation, and yin is manifested as taking the posture of peace and stability; in the chapter, the large character is yang, and the small word is yin; the direct painting is more yang, and the curved painting is yin; the space is more white is yang, and the real black is more yin. For the type of calligraphic beauty, if divided according to the Taoist theory of yin and yang, it is nothing more than two types of masculine beauty and feminine beauty.
Su Shi's "Chibi Fu" sentence
People who advocate masculine beauty highly respect "bone", "force" and "potential". Eastern Jin Dynasty calligrapher Wei Shuo's "Pen Array" Yun: "Characters are mainly bone power". The Qing Dynasty calligraphy theorist Zhu Hetang's "Linchi Heart Solution" said: "Only its bone strength is sought, and the situation is born on its own." Those who advocate feminine beauty take "light", "smooth" and "han" as aesthetic standards. Strong emphasis is placed on charm and meaning, and it is believed that the pen should be light, comfortable, swimming, rounded, slender and gentle. Masculine beauty and feminine beauty are opposites and unified, and cannot be partial to one corner. The way of calligraphy lies in the pursuit of the neutral beauty of "rigidity and softness" and "commensurate flesh and bones", and it is not possible to be pure and soft and paranoid. Liu Xizai, a calligraphy theorist of the Qing Dynasty, clearly pointed out in the "Outline of Art": "Books should have both yin and yang, calm and depressed, yin also; Qiba Haoda, Yang Ye." "Gao Yun is affectionate, strong and strong, and cannot be a book without one." There is yang in the yin, there is yin in the yang, and the tao of one yin and one yang is the supreme realm that calligraphy learners diligently pursue.
Wang Tian "White Plum"
Two poems of Yongmeigu
Don't forget the original intention, keep in mind the mission
Read sensibly
View the sea
See Sages
Chairman Mao's verses
Tan Yanzhen
Director of the Institute of Calligraphy and Yixue Culture of Shandong Jianzhu University, Master Tutor of Calligraphy, Member of Chinese Calligraphers Association, Member of the Presidium of Shandong Educational Calligraphers Association, Distinguished Researcher of Calligraphy and Painting Professional Committee of Beijing International Culture and Trade Promotion Association.