The southern Chinese city of Xiamen is a traveler's dream. Known for its charming colonial architecture on Gulangyu Island, its vibrant seafood markets, and its serene coastal views, it effortlessly captures the heart of every visitor. Yet, beyond the well-trodden paths and popular Instagram spots, there exists a deeper, more resonant cultural pulse. It is the silent poetry of brush and ink, the art of calligraphy, which offers not just a souvenir, but a profound gift of art that encapsulates the very soul of this beautiful place. To experience Xiamen without acknowledging its calligraphic heritage is to see the landscape without understanding its spirit.
Calligraphy in China is not merely beautiful handwriting; it is a disciplined art form, a moving meditation, and a philosophical expression. For millennia, it has been considered one of the highest forms of cultural attainment. The rhythmic flow of the brush, the intensity of the black ink, and the absorbent nature of Xuan paper create a dance where the artist's energy, or "Qi," is directly transferred onto the surface. Each character tells a story not only through its meaning but through the strength, grace, and emotion embedded in every stroke.
Any discussion of calligraphy must begin with the tools, reverently known as the "Four Treasures of the Study." These are the brush, the ink, the paper, and the inkstone. In Xiamen, you will find shops, particularly in the older quarters near Zhongshan Road, dedicated entirely to these treasures. Watching an artisan select the perfect weasel or goat hair for a brush, or smelling the rich, pine-soot aroma of a solid inkstick, is an experience in itself. The act of grinding the inkstick with water on the inkstone is the first step in the meditative process, a slow preparation that calms the mind and focuses the intent.
Xiamen’s calligraphic culture isn't confined to museums; it is woven into the very fabric of the city. The discerning traveler will find it everywhere, adding layers of meaning to their journey.
A trip to Xiamen is incomplete without a ferry ride to the car-free Gulangyu Island. While tourists flock to the Piano Museum, acknowledging the island's title as "Piano Island," the calligraphic inscriptions are an equally significant treasure. As you wander through the winding lanes and up to the Sunlight Rock, look closely at the pavilions, the rock formations, and the entranceways to the old villas. You will find stone tablets and plaques carved with elegant characters. These are often poems or philosophical sayings composed by famous literati who were inspired by the island's beauty. They are permanent endorsements, a way of saying that this very spot moved someone centuries ago to capture its essence in ink and stone. Finding and appreciating these inscriptions is like a cultural scavenger hunt.
At the foot of Wanshi Mountain lies the ancient and serene Nanputuo Temple. Here, calligraphy is an integral part of the spiritual atmosphere. Look up at the grand horizontal boards above the temple halls, inscribed with the names of the halls or profound Buddhist sutras. Notice the couplets flanking the doorways, their parallel phrases a poetic and calligraphic representation of balance and harmony. You might even see devotees or monks practicing their brushwork as a form of mindfulness. The air is thick with incense and a sense of timeless tradition, making it a powerful place to witness the living art of calligraphy.
Xiamen's bustling Zhongshan Road, a historic commercial street, is a fantastic place to see calligraphy in a modern context. Shop signs, often made of wood and lacquered in gold or black, feature the distinct, powerful scripts of renowned calligraphers. More importantly, tucked away in the older sections or in cultural markets, you will find small studios and shops selling calligraphy supplies and artworks. Engaging with the shopkeepers here can be a rewarding experience. They are often passionate about the art and can explain the differences between the various scripts, such as the formal Kaishu, the more fluid Xingshu, and the wild, expressive Caoshu.
While a magnet or a postcard is a nice reminder, a piece of calligraphy is a unique and deeply personal souvenir from Xiamen. It is a gift of art that carries the energy of the place.
One of the most sought-after calligraphic souvenirs is a personalized "chop," or seal. Traditionally used in place of a signature, a chop is a small stamp carved with your name, usually translated into Chinese characters phonetically. In shops on Gulangyu or in Xiamen's cultural markets, you can watch a master carver meticulously etch your name into stone, jade, or wood. The process is mesmerizing. The resulting seal, paired with a small container of red cinnabar paste, is not just a stamp; it is your unique mark, a piece of your identity rendered in an ancient art form. Using it on letters or documents becomes a special, personal ritual.
For a more decorative gift, consider a calligraphic couplet. These are two vertical scrolls containing poetic lines that complement each other, often expressing wishes for good fortune, health, or prosperity. They are a central part of Chinese New Year decorations and home aesthetics. You can commission a couplet with a specific meaning or choose a classic one that resonates with you. Mounted on silk or paper and hung in your home, it serves as a constant, elegant reminder of the balance and beauty you found in Xiamen.
The most immersive way to connect with this art is to try it yourself. Several cultural centers and studios in Xiamen offer short calligraphy classes for tourists. Under the guidance of a master, you will learn how to hold the brush correctly, grind the ink, and practice the basic strokes that form all Chinese characters. It is much harder than it looks, but it is an incredibly humbling and rewarding experience. The focus required forces you to be present, to slow down, and to appreciate the immense skill of the masters. The sheet of paper with your own clumsy but heartfelt characters becomes a priceless souvenir, a testament to your attempt to touch a piece of Xiamen's soul.
Engaging with calligraphy will fundamentally change how you see Xiamen. You will start to notice the characters everywhere: on the menus of local小吃 (xiaochi) snack shops, on the banners during festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival, and on the monuments in parks like Xiamen's Horticulture Garden. You will begin to differentiate between the strong, block-like scripts on historical buildings and the more flowing scripts in tea houses. This newfound awareness connects you to the city's literary history, its philosophical underpinnings, and the quiet dignity of its everyday life.
It teaches you that in Xiamen, beauty is not only in what you see but also in how it is expressed. The island's gentle sea breezes, the graceful curves of its architecture, and the rhythmic lapping of waves against the shore are all mirrored in the flowing, dynamic lines of its calligraphy. To take home a piece of this art is to take home a piece of Xiamen's enduring spirit—a gift that is far more valuable and lasting than any ordinary trinket. It is a conversation with history, a personal meditation, and a beautiful, tangible piece of your journey.
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Author: Xiamen Travel
Link: https://xiamentravel.github.io/travel-blog/xiamen-calligraphy-a-gift-of-art.htm
Source: Xiamen Travel
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