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Please submit the following two items:

1. A Write-up (in a paragraph or two) introducing your calligraphy work.

2. Image of your calligraphy work.

Notes from Instructor:

-Please leave your NAME.

-Reminder: please submit a text entry on WebCampus stating "I have submitted my Final Showcase (Image+Write-up) to the "Padlet".

-You are encouraged to view and appreciate your classmates' work:)  -Lin Li

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Daoism - A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

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Daoism - A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

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This scroll shows the proverb “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” written in Chinese calligraphy, paired with a bamboo painting along the side. I chose this saying because it reflects the idea that big goals are achieved through small, consistent actions even when progress feels slow or uncertain. The brushstrokes are intentional but imperfect, which mirrors the process of learning and moving forward one step at a time.

The bamboo adds balance to the composition and symbolizes growth, flexibility, and resilience, reinforcing the message visually. The scroll’s small size and traditional design keep the piece simple and calming, like something you can hang somewhere and glance at for quiet motivation. Overall, it’s meant to be a gentle reminder to start, keep going, and trust that every step matters.

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This sign shows the text "Remember Forever". The calligraphy is from a piece of political street art made by a local artist called "Biskit" in Beijing, China. The work relays the concerns of the residents of 2 districts in the area upon their districts being merged. The characters "永远记着: Remember forever" symbolize the local cultural significance lost in the merging.

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For this project, I wanted to explore the journey Chinese calligraphy has gone through as it changed from one script to another. In this course’s curriculum, my favorite part was looking at the seal script, cursive script, running script, and standard script versions of each character. I copied “千里之行，始於足下” (A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) in seal script and running script. I copied “福” (blessing, good fortune) in all four scripts. It is really interesting to me to compare all different versions of the same characters side by side, because I can see similarities that I may not have noticed. I also love to read, so I made bookmarks with these sayings to use.

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I chose the theme of a New Year celebration, with gold representing prosperity and apricot blossom for good luck (according to Asian beliefs). The drawing of the apricot blossom branch and gold is the wish for external fortune. Additionally, I have two calligraphy quotes. One of them in the bigger size is "Happy New Year" since it's almost 2026! The smaller quote in the top left reads "Peace all year around," a wish for everyone to have good health and safety. These are all elements of the Chinese New Year celebration, and I chose this style because I like the combination of both calligraphy and landscape visuals in the same frame.

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Quote: “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.”

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Quote: “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.”

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I decided to use the quote “The greater the obstacles, the more glory in overcoming it” because it reflects many of my own life experiences. While it may sound cliché at first, the meaning behind it genuinely resonates with the challenges and growth that have shaped me. It feels spiritually grounding, and that is why I chose to express it in traditional Chinese calligraphy. The sharpness and structure of the script reflect the strength required to face and overcome obstacles.

In my piece, I included a crane, cherry blossoms, and hydrangeas to represent the beauty and symbolism found in nature. The crane symbolizes longevity and prosperity, the cherry blossoms reflect the fleeting nature of life, and the hydrangeas represent abundance, love, and hope. Together, these symbols illustrate the journey of a meaningful life: one filled with hope and love, but also limited time and inevitable hardships. The obstacles we encounter in different chapters of life may not be easy to overcome, but the feeling of relief, strength, and accomplishment afterward makes the struggle worthwhile. This is the message that inspired my artistic direction.

I also chose a vertical calligraphy layout rather than horizontal because I feel it gives the piece a stronger visual presence. Vertical writing emphasizes the weight and impact of the words, almost like a pillar of strength. The combination of strictness in the characters and creativity in the imagery reflects the balance between discipline and expression that mirrors the duality of hard work and the beauty found within perseverance.

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This piece uses bold, simple brushstrokes to paint bamboo, a traditional symbol of strength and calm in Chinese art. I chose an expressive, modern style to give the bamboo a lively feel while keeping the overall image clean and balanced. Beside the painting, I wrote the phrase 竹报平安 , which means “May the bamboo bring you peace and safety.” Together, the painting and the calligraphy create a quiet, positive message meant to offer comfort and good wishes.

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This scroll shows the text "竹報平安": zhú bào píng ān (literally "bamboo reports peace"): something of a pun and a fortuitous saying. Zhúbào (竹報), literally "bamboo reports", were the bamboo slips used, in lieu of paper, for letters in ancient China. Píng ān (平安), literally "flat peaceful", is simply equivalent to "safe and sound". Therefore, this saying literally refers to a bamboo letter reporting that you're doing well, especially those sent to family on holidays and similar times. However, this poetically or metaphorically refers to the idea of safety that lasts the whole year, reflecting how bamboo remains green no matter the season.

I made this as a Christmas present for my grandparents. It's relevant to them because they love calligraphy, as well as due to them owning a small bamboo plant. It already has a golden-painted snake statuette as its holder, so I figured taking the auspiciousness of the plant (and its holder) and tying it (literally and figuratively) to a scroll with this phrase would both be a good composition and pretty lucky! Plus, they're the sort of people who would appreciate the symbolism of it.

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This piece is called 题西林壁 (ti xi lin bi) by 苏轼 (Su Shi). This title translates into “Written on the Wall at West Forest Temple”. The poem translates into the following:

From the side, a whole range; from the end, a single peak:

Far, near, high, low, no two parts alike.

Why can’t I tell the true shape of Lu-shan?

Because I myself am in the mountain.

From all the work we went over during class, this poem stuck out to me. I favored the way it flowed and it sounded. I also like the idea that Su Shi was on top of the mountain peaks as he wrote this. This poem is about how perspective changes depending on where someone is located. Perhaps this could tie into people and how their opinions change depending on whose perspective they see. A persons opinion may change when they look at things from someone else’s shoes.

I decided to write this on a scroll to make it look like the ancient works we’ve seen in class. I also put 3 stamps on the corner because I wanted it to look more “expensive”. The stamps tie into the piece well with the red ink contrasting onto the golden paper. I did this piece in running script because I thought it would be more fun instead of writing standard script. I was worried that my running script wouldn’t be legible, but when I showed my mom, she could read it perfectly fine.

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I chose to draw this because I thoughtful combination of two powerful symbols: the Chinese character for 'Love' and the resilient bamboo motif. I wanted to capture a reminder that is both personal and universal.The character for 'Love' anchors the piece, representing the fundamental human need for connection and compassion. Lastly The bamboo's ability to bend without breaking represents resilience and flexibility in the face of adversity. More importantly, every stalk of bamboo, while part of the same grove, grows distinctly some are tall, some are thin, some are curved. This individuality is the core message: it demonstrates beautifully that not everyone is the same. This is why I chose to draw this for my final showcase.

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This hanging scroll is written in running script and says “A thousand mile journey begins with a single step.” The meaning is emblematic of beginning the practice of calligraphy, which I intend to continue.

I carved the seal out of wood. It was a little more difficult than I anticipated, although I’m satisfied with my first attempt at seal carving.

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For my Calligraphy Final Showcase, I chose to write a Daoist quote. The quote reads on English, "Content is happiness". I chose this since I found it to reside with me. I thought it was a good reminder for myself when life gets hectic to just take a breath and be content with what I already have. Reminding myself that what I have done so far is enough and to not push myself too hard. I thought writing this quote on a fan would be aesthetically pleasing since I was able to capture the full saying while having enough room to add something else. Next to the quote I chose to paint a chrysanthemum because of one of their many meanings. That being, "virtue and endurance", since they have the ability to bloom in autumn.

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For my final project, I chose to write a quote on a scroll by calligrapher and poet, Wang Wei during (Tang Dynasty). The quote comes from Wang Wei's poem, "Autumn Evening in the Mountain Dwelling," and describes a quiet night scene. The quote I chose can be translated to, "Bright moonlight shines through the pine trees; A clear stream flows over the stones." I chose this quote because it is calming and meditative. I plan to hang it over my desk where I study so that I can slow down when I need a break and look at the calligraphy. Overall, this quote is very grounding, it balances harmony with nature and stillness of the pine trees with movement of the stream.

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I decided to paint bamboo and include one of the bamboo writings we learned this semester. The bamboo stuck out to me because it was so simple yet beautiful, and I feel that it is a good contrast between the two. The cat in the painting represents me as I have loved cats my entire life. I felt the need to include one in this painting to really personalize it.

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For my final projects I did some bamboo running script along with some bamboo paintings. The two quotes that I chose are “竹报平安” and ”胸有成竹”. The first quote, “竹报平安” literally means “bamboo reports peace” which translates to peaceful news or a letter from home to confirm that everything is well which symbolizes good tidings. The second quote, ”胸有成竹” literally means “a complete bamboo in the chest” which translates to being prepared or having a clear vision before acting. Since these quotes use bamboo for their meanings they are typically paired with paintings of bamboo shoots which is what I also decided to do using the technique we learned earlier this semester.

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Written on the scroll is a Daoist quote in calligraphy. The full quote translated is "The friendship between men of virtue is light like water, yet affectionate; the friendship between men without virtue is sweet like wine, yet easily broken" The only part I wrote is the first part of the quote, 君子之交淡如水, because when arranged on something like a scroll it is better to only have the positive rather than negative. By omitting the second half, it creates more positivity and affection. I chose this piece for my final project as the lectures about Daoism were some of favorite throughout the semester, and this specific one uses clerical script, which is my favorite script out of the 6 we learned.  Having this written on a scroll that I can hang up is a nice reminder about friendships, especially during this point in my life.

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I wanted to do something for the holidays based on this being our last project before break. This scroll reads "Merry Christmas", and I was very interested in researching how Chinese culture has incorporated Christmas into their large city cultures. Despite having very few Christians in China, large cities like Beijing do celebrate Christmas, though very few celebrate it religiously. It is not officially a public holiday, but that doesn't really stop anybody from celebrating it.

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For my final project, I chose to write a Daoist quote on the scroll. The quote translates to “Faith can move mountains.” The style I chose to do for this piece was cursive as I really like how the details/strokes of singular character interlinked. Out of all the quotes we’ve seen in class, I found this one to be one of my top favorites due how meaningful it is. I liked how I could relate it to my religion, and from personal experiences and knowledge of other’s experiences, I find it to be quite true.

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For my showcase, I chose the Daoist quote "content is happiness" in oracle bone script. I wrote it on a bookmark, and signed my Chinese name on the bottom. Daoism preaches the importance of following the natural flow-- the Dao-- of life. The school of thought emphasizes the importance of freeing oneself from excessive, external desires and expectations. Doing so will result in inner peace, allowing happiness to bloom as an inherent state as opposed to something brought upon via external sources. It reminds people to take a second and find a reason to be content with life due to what they already have, instead of tying their happiness to a new motivation. I chose this quote for that reason, as it serves as a reminder to me to find joy in the little things in my life.

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This final artwork centers on the Chinese phrase 随缘 (suíyuán), which means “to go with the flow” or “to follow circumstances as they unfold.” I chose to do it this way because I felt like the bold calligraphic strokes contrast with the softer, layered background brushwork, reflecting a key idea we explored in class: that Chinese calligraphy is not only about writing characters correctly, but about expressing balance, movement, and inner state through brush control. The character carries philosophical meaning rooted in Chinese and Buddhist thought, emphasizing patience and acceptance. This artwork reflects both a personal interpretation and a practical application of the idea of living in harmony with life rather than trying to control it.

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For the final project I chose to write a four character phrase on a bookmark. Together this sentence means without a fight do not bend, or "unyielding." This phrase or similar phrases were commonly written on small blades or swords that would be yielded by warriors and was popular in the 12th century. I chose to write in on a bookmark because I find words and knowledge to be a weapon similar to the dagger this could be written on. It reminds me that books are just as powerful as a blade and I should not give up without a fight/.

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Tying into the theme of the Eight Scholars of the Wine Cup tangent from my curator of the day, this four character proverb is an excerpt from poet Li Bai. From what i could find, the main consensus on the meaning of the proverb is “Putting nothing over alcohol” or “Loving alcohol more than anything.” The second meaning of this saying is “Treating a close friend with sincerity.” In the original poem, it is He Zhizhang who sells his golden turtle ornament in exchange for wine to drink with Li Bai. I knew of this saying before taking this course, but now I am aware of the circumstances surrounding its origin and how the Tang dynasty had far reaching influence on poetry and language at that time.

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The characters on this bookmark read 善养浩气, which translates to “to carefully cultivate one’s vast and righteous moral spirit.” This phrase comes from Mencius and reflects the Confucian belief that moral strength is not innate but must be patiently developed over time through their actions. 浩气 refers to an inner force coming from one’s own actions rather than something more tangible. What I really love about this quote is that it really encourages me to act with kindness and sincerity even when doing so is difficult or unrewarded. The phrase suggests that true moral authority arises gradually, built through everyday choices that reinforce honesty and self discipline. In this sense, 善养浩气 emphasizes that character is formed through sustained moral effort, and that inner strength and true fulfillment is the result of deliberate cultivation rather than sudden achievement.

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“Ning jing,” meaning calmness and tranquility, and “zhi yuan,” meaning far, suggest that one can persevere in life with tranquility. This saying aligns with Buddhist philosophy. Buddhism prioritizes internal peace through meditation and detachment from desire and impermanence. I chose this quote because Buddhist philosophy has altered my life; I used to fear the future and what it held, and I craved validation from other people. However, through the art of detachment, I realized that nothing is permanent, and I am unable to alter anyone’s perception of me. People will always hold certain feelings or beliefs that I simply can not change. I began to accept that nothing in the present, whether it is positive or negative, is necessarily permanent. Life is always susceptible to change. It is critical to live in the moment without desire or extreme attachment; otherwise, I will suffer in the future and grieve what never belonged to me from the beginning.

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The phrase I selected is "永结同心" . Which stands for "Forever united in Heart" The calligraphy is written in clerical script, and there is a comparison of structure and fluid movement in its brush strokes, to give the characters an intimate and dynamic feel.

Below the calligraphy, there is a motif of bamboo. In China, bamboo is a very symbolically rich motif and stands for things like tenacity and integrity, as well as moral resilience and immortality, because bamboo can withstand extreme conditions and always stays green. The motif below relates very well to what has been conveyed above.

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For my final project, I chose to create something simple and meaningful. I wrote the phrase “love books,” which reflects the purpose of the piece as a bookmark. I considered writing “love book characters,” but ultimately decided to keep the phrase short and direct. The heart symbol represents genuine love for reading and literature. This piece was inspired by my personal joy in reading and the connection I feel with books. By keeping the design minimal, I wanted the message to be clear and sincere.