UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritages in China (II) (8)

Chinese calligraphy

The item, "Chinese calligraphy" was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.

Chinese calligraphy has always been more than simply a tool for communication, incorporating as it does the element of artistry for which the practice is still valued in an age of ballpoint pens and computers.

Indeed, calligraphy is no longer the basic tool of intellectuals and officials but has become the preserve of professional artisans and amateur enthusiasts.

Whether they are recording information or simply creating beautiful forms, calligraphers’ brushes are used to ink five different styles of script, known as 'seal', 'official', 'cursive', 'running' and 'regular'.

The art may appear on any writing surface – even the rocky walls of cliffs – but it is especially common on letters, scrolls, works of literature and fan coverings.