Chinese Writing & Art
Hànzì
Learning to read and write in China is very difficult. The symbols represent words. You have to study hard to learn each symbol. There are 40,000 characters to learn. Children would be expected to know more than 2,000 of the most common symbols by the time they leave primary school.
Learning to read and write in China is very difficult. The symbols represent words. You have to study hard to learn each symbol. There are 40,000 characters to learn. Children would be expected to know more than 2,000 of the most common symbols by the time they leave primary school.
Calligraphy is one of the oldest forms of art in China. It is over 2,000 years old. Hànzì symbols are painted with a brush and ink, which in the past was made from soot and glue. The calligraphy was painted onto thick paper or silk. Long ago scholars, princes and those that were educated were expected to be able to master the art of calligraphy. |
Hànzì originally came from China but spread to Japan and Korea. Kanji is still widely used in Japan. You can often see the same symbols in China and in Japan. Sometimes the symbols have the same meaning in Japan as they do in China. At other times the meanings are different so it can be confusing for those trying to make out the meaning.
This is an example of where the symbols in kanji (Japanese) and hànzì (Chinese) are the same:
- 一 one, ichi, yī
- ニ two, ni, èr
- 三 three, san, sān
- 四 four, shi/yon, sì
- 五 five, go, wǔ
- 六 six, roku, liù
- 七 seven, nana/shichi, qī
- 八 eight, hachi, bā
- 九 nine, kyû, jiǔ
- 十 ten, jû, shí
Many beautiful artifacts from China can be seen in museums. You can see items made of bronze, porcelain, clay and ivory.
The Terracotta Army
The Terracotta Army is a collection of sculptures that represent the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. They were supposed to protect the emperor in the afterlife. The statues were discovered by farmers digging a well. When the area was excavated thousands of soldiers were discovered.
The Terracotta Army is a collection of sculptures that represent the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. They were supposed to protect the emperor in the afterlife. The statues were discovered by farmers digging a well. When the area was excavated thousands of soldiers were discovered.
Elaborate designs such as these can be seen on palaces and temples.
Chinese dragons
Chinese dragons are found in mythology. The dragon was a symbol of power and it was thought that it brought good luck. As a result you often see the dragon on royal robes and buildings. It can be seen on these bells.
Chinese dragons are found in mythology. The dragon was a symbol of power and it was thought that it brought good luck. As a result you often see the dragon on royal robes and buildings. It can be seen on these bells.
Traditional Painting
Traditional painting is done with ink and paint on paper or silk. Two of the styles used are xieyi and gongbi. As you can see below, there is a big difference between the two styles. The first style is more impressionistic while the second style is carefully drawn. The paintings are done using mainly black ink but sometimes a little colour is added. Sometimes calligraphy is added to the painting. It is usually signed in red with the artist's seal.
Traditional painting is done with ink and paint on paper or silk. Two of the styles used are xieyi and gongbi. As you can see below, there is a big difference between the two styles. The first style is more impressionistic while the second style is carefully drawn. The paintings are done using mainly black ink but sometimes a little colour is added. Sometimes calligraphy is added to the painting. It is usually signed in red with the artist's seal.