Shang Yi - Song Dynasty Calligraphy And Aesthetic Trends,

Tung Qi Cheong concludes the works of the past calligraphers in his commentaries as "In Chun Dynasty,calligraphers take rhyme.In Tang Dynasty,calligraphers take structure.In Sung Dynasty,calligraphers take meaning." Since then,calligraphers afterwards held this view.This article is to analyse the concepts of writing presented by the leading three families of calligraphy,Su,Huang,Mi in Song Dynasty and to integrate the effect towards the aesthetics views of Zhuang Zi on these three families.Finally,it reveals the trend of Song Dynasty' s aesthetics on calligraphy - advocacy of Tranquility and Relaxation.This writing starts with concepts on calligraphy by the three families and integrates with their creative principles,how they decode the calligraphy in Jin and Tang Dynasty,the suggestions on poetic writing and paintings and their philosophies and beliefs.It is also going to conclude their core characteristics on concepts on calligraphy which are filled with aesthetic spirit of Zhuang Zi,the spirit that transcends the dull "Tranquility and Calmness"(Yelong language).The work by Cai Xiang,having a minor effect on calligraphy in Song Dynasty,is not to be discussed in this writing.The three families sustain a far-reaching effect on the whole Song Dynasty. Since then,no greater achievement than these three families had been made. Even coming to the Jin Dynasty(1115-1234),the spirit of these three families was still popular.What is more,in painting,the pleasant aesthetics and calligraphy styles are the same,favouring "tranquility and relaxation",with writers,learners,and officials at that time also advocating this spirit.Such spirit was well developed under this social background.The leading role by the three families in Song Dynasty strengthens the trend of this 'tranquility and relaxation' in Song Dynasty' s calligraphy.This article consists of five parts:In the first part,it lists the proposition of 'Tranquility and Relaxation' with conclusion of predecessors and current writers on the interpretation of 'meaning',it comes to the concepts of development on 'Tranquility and Relaxation' and how it integrates with aesthetics by Zhuang Zi.In the second,third and fourth part,it comes the analysis on concepts on calligraphy and creative practice.In the fifth part,it concludes the effect on the whole Song Dynasty by the three families.