Chinese calligraphy is an art with an illustration of the thousands of years of Chinese culture. It is one of the four basic skills and disciplines of the Chinese literati, Shu (calligraphy), Hua (painting), Qin (a string musical instrument), and Qi (a strategic boardgame). The history of Chinese calligraphy can be dated back to 4000 years ago. But there are still no one can tell exactly when Chinese written language appeared. For 2000 years, the Chinese calligraphy is the basic media, the major script variations, and the standards of excellence of the art have remained almost unchanged.

The oldest language discovered now is Jia Gu Wen(oracle)a Dictionary of Inscriptions on Bones, written on the shells of turtles. Jia Gu Wen is not a matured written language. Jia Gu Wen is a script used mainly in Shang dynasty (1600 B.C. -- 1046 B.C.). It's also used in West Zhou dynasty (1046 B.C.-- 771 B.C.) although Da Zhuan is also used at that time. Jia Gu Wen already was written very artistically. But we can not say at that time calligraphy had already been an art.

Qin Shi Huang united the old China in 221 B.C. The official language used in Qin dynasty was Xiao Zhuan. Calligraphy had already been an art at that time. Calligraphy works of Qin dynasty are always high evaluated by calligraphers in history.

calligraphy written by means of the brush also has a history of over four thousand years in China. The method of holding the brush is more special, keep the fingers firm and the palm relaxed, the thumb pressed the brush handle inward and the index finger presses it outward. Hold the fourth and little finger against the middle finger. Thus you will paint fairly flexible.