The Art Of Calligraphy In Shanxi

The grass roots inscriptions on tablets contain rich humanistic ideas, spiritual em otion, value orientation and aesthetic meanings. Just like the humanity history, calligra phies also vary at the mercy of different regional cultures. A stone inscription not only records the local history and culture, but also transmits plenty of artistic sensibilities t o us beyond time and space. Different areas, floating eras and various styles of calligr aphies give birth to inscriptions with abundant artistic characteristics.In Shanxi province, there exist a large number of stone inscriptions which remain multiple forms and variety of categories. They cover thousands of years from Han dy nasty to Ming and Qing dynasties. Selecting the features of Shanxi stone inscriptions as research objects, this paper analyzes and explores the artistic characteristics and sig nificances of these treasures engraved on stones. Based on the geographical division, we analyze and discuss the performances of four typical areas, which contain of Shan gdang, Yanbei, Jinzhong and Jinnan. We expect bringing more light to the continuity a nd development of the calligraphic art in Shanxi via the collating and analyzing the m arvelous inscriptions, and understanding the regional differences in calligraphy style r eflected in different regions.Shanxi stone inscriptions contain variety of outstanding works expressed in different styles, i.e. seal character, official script, cursive script etc. A large part of the penmen had a relative high social status at that time. They were concerned and recorded by the historian. There are also parts of anonymous writing works concerned by generations due to its wonderful calligraphy. Researching these brilliant works give us a hope to reveal contributions of Shanxi calligraphy art made throughout history.From the outlook of the inscriptions on tablets in Shanxi area, the development of their writing styles is rooted in the central plains culture and fuses other national features. These remained stone inscriptions faithfully recorded the exploring and developing process of the ancient sages for the inheritance of the Shanxi calligraphy.