Editor's note: Chinese calligraphy is the artistic practice of writing Chinese characters using a brush and ink. Celebrated for its aesthetic beauty and cultural depth, Chinese calligraphy is not merely a means of communication but a highly respected art form that expresses the writer's emotions, character and moral integrity. In 2009, Chinese calligraphy was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognized as a treasured embodiment of traditional Chinese culture and philosophy.

This art has been practiced for over two thousand years and is closely connected to Chinese language, literature, education and philosophy. It also plays a central role in visual arts and remains a powerful symbol of cultural identity.

The origins of Chinese calligraphy can be traced back to ancient times, with the earliest recognizable characters appearing on oracle bones from the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). These early forms evolved over centuries through various script styles, such as Seal Script, Clerical Script, Regular Script, Running Script and Cursive Script — each with unique aesthetic and structural qualities.

During the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), calligraphy began to be appreciated as an independent art form. It reached a high level of sophistication in the Tang (618–907) and Song (960–1279) dynasties, when masters like Wang Xizhi, Yan Zhenqing and Su Shi emerged. These calligraphers developed personal styles that reflected their inner thoughts and life philosophies, elevating calligraphy to a form of spiritual cultivation.

In traditional Chinese society, mastery of calligraphy was an essential part of education and self-cultivation, especially for scholars and officials. It was also used in religious contexts, such as transcribing Buddhist sutras and Daoist texts.

Despite the advent of digital technology and modern communication tools, Chinese calligraphy continues to be widely practiced and respected in contemporary China and across Chinese-speaking communities worldwide. It remains a core subject in traditional Chinese arts education and is often taught in schools, art academies and community centers.

Calligraphy is also embraced as a form of meditation and self-discipline. Many people of all ages study calligraphy to improve focus, develop patience and connect with traditional culture. Calligraphy clubs, workshops, exhibitions and competitions are regularly held to promote engagement and appreciation of this art.

In recent years, calligraphy has found new vitality through cross-disciplinary collaboration. Artists integrate calligraphy into modern design, digital art and public installations, introducing it to broader and younger audiences. At the same time, efforts are being made to preserve the authenticity of traditional styles and techniques, as many worry about the dilution of the art form.

When UNESCO added Chinese calligraphy to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009, it praised the tradition as "an artistic practice that reflects the unique character, spirit, temperament, interest, and way of thinking of the Chinese people." The evaluation highlighted that calligraphy is more than an artistic discipline — it is a means of cultivating the self, conveying personal expression, and strengthening social and cultural cohesion.

UNESCO emphasized the strong intergenerational transmission of this heritage, often passed down through families, master-apprentice relationships and formal education. It recognized the vital role that calligraphy plays in identity formation and in promoting mutual understanding within Chinese communities and beyond.

The inscription also acknowledged ongoing government and community-led efforts to preserve and promote calligraphy, including academic research, teacher training, public outreach programs and international cultural exchange.

By placing Chinese calligraphy on the global stage, UNESCO affirmed its significance as a universal form of human creativity and a living tradition that continues to evolve while honoring its ancient roots.

Discover more treasures from China on UNESCO's ICH list:

• 2024: Spring Festival

• 2022: Traditional tea processing

• 2020: Wangchuan ceremony, taijiquan

• 2018: Lum medicinal bathing of Sowa Rigpa

• 2016: Twenty-four solar terms

• 2013: Abacus-based Zhusuan

• 2012: Training plan for Fujian puppetry performers

• 2011: Shadow puppetry, Yimakan storytelling

• 2010: Peking opera, acupuncture and moxibustion, wooden movable-type printing, watertight-bulkhead technology of Chinese junks, Meshrep

• 2009: Yueju opera, Xi'an wind and percussion ensemble, traditional handicrafts of making Xuan paper, traditional firing techniques of Longquan celadon, Tibetan opera, sericulture and silk craftsmanship, Regong arts, Nanyin, Khoomei, Mazu belief and customs, Dragon Boat Festival, Manas, Craftsmanship of Nanjing Yunjin brocade, Xinjiang Uygur Muqam art, Hua'er, China engraved block printing technique, Chinese traditional architectural craftsmanship for timber-framed structures, Chinese paper-cut

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