Chinese calligraphy is considered the art of writing Han characters with the brush or the rules of this art, which has a long tradition. From the perspective of Han characters, Chinese calligraphy is quite an unique visual art, but that peculiarity doesn't prevent people who don't know Han characters from appreciating Chinese calligraphy.
As an ancient art, Chinese calligraphy painting is characteristic of Chinese characters, which history can be dated back to over 8,000 years ago. It is based on Chinese characters, following some laws to express calligrapher's emotion, personality, interest, artistic accomplishment, style and so on. Furthermore, it also could reflect the thought of calligrapher. Therefore, people often say that "the style is the man" or "calligraphy is the reflection of one's morality and moral character".
Chinese calligraphy epitomizes the basic characteristics of all Chinese arts. Just like architecture and sculpture, in Western fine arts, are the basis of other formative arts, Chinese calligraphy and Chinese painting are considered as the head of Chinese fine arts, leading other art categories. When Chinese calligraphy and Chinese painting are mentioned together, Chinese calligraphy comes before Chinese painting, such as "calligraphy and painting are of common origin (shu hua tong yuan 书画同源)", "heptachord-playing, chess, calligraphy and painting (qin qi shu hua 琴棋书画)",etc.
Chinese calligraphy also goes hand in hand with life. According to Stanley-Baker, "Calligraphy is sheer life experienced through energy in motion that is registered as traces on silk or paper, with time and rhythm in shifting space its main ingredients." A great deal of perfect calligraphies were kept in the form of letter, manuscript of poetry, inscription on stone tablet, plaque, screen, upholstery and so on. Those works are appreciated more or only for their aesthetic qualities. Calligraphy has also influenced most major art styles in China, including Chinese painting, seal carving, dance, and music. In addition, Chinese calligraphy has influenced the development of Japanese and Korean calligraphies which were originated and developed from China, especially in the part based entirely on Han characters.
