The giant calligraphy written by an elderly Chinese on the
ground at the Temple of Heaven attracts the attention of foreign
tourists. |
The clock chimes 9 am on
another summer Saturday and at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, the mercury is
nudging 30 C.
On the shaded, southern grounds before the temple, a crowd of 50 people -
most in retirement age and male - are bent double, their torsos sweeping first
left, then right in graceful motion. In their hands are homemade, large paint
brushes measuring some 80 centimetres, which they draw across the ground to make
oversized Chinese characters.
They frequently dip their brushes into a water bucket. Then they carefully
draw their characters in vertical symmetry on the concrete ground.
Some write classic poetry, others compose their own works. The results are
two-fold. Spectators witness stunning calligraphy and the dedicated artists keep
fit.
"We have set up a new landscape in this old temple," says Dai Yuqing, a man
in his mid-40s, who frequents the temple each morning. "Tourists from home and
abroad will see us when they enter the temple. Some of them even ask to try out
calligraphy on the spot."
Dai says he and his peers have dubbed their artistic morning workout "ground
calligraphy" - a brand new exercise exclusive to the capital.
And like many great inventions, no one knows exactly from whom or where it
came, nor when.
"It just appeared," claims Dai.
Brush strokes... Characters written by He Zhengxian in
Beijing's Taoranting Park. At 72, the retired worker has practised "ground
calligraphny" for 8 years and has won two
awards. |
"The first time I saw it was 10
years ago under the Fuxingmen flyover where an elderly man gave his
demonstration," recalls Wang Dianxiang, a retired salesman, who says he has been
practising ground calligraphy for eight years in Taoranting Park in southern
Beijing. "That old man might be the creator," he says.
Despite its obscure origin, ground calligraphy has developed quickly in the
past 10 years in parks around the city.
An annual competition, which started last year, is testament to its
popularity. The event, called the Joyful Cup Ground Calligraphy Invitational
Competition, was initiated by the Taoranting Community Service Centre.
"This competition not only brings more old people into this healthy and
environment-friendly exercise, but also carries on the tradition of Chinese
calligraphy," said Jin Yan, chief organizer of the competition.
On April 2, 66 ground calligraphers from six major parks - Taoranting, the
Temple of Heaven, Yuyuantan, Jingshan, the Altar of Earth and Beihai -
participated. Three people won joint first prize.
Ground calligraphy can be descried as a morning exercise of both
entertainment and elegance, according to He Zhenxian, a retired worker from a
printing factory in Beijing, who has practised it for eight years.
"To write Chinese characters on the ground, you must use the strength of your
arms and shoulders, and sometimes even the waist," the 72-year-old says.
"Through years of practice, muscles of the whole body are sure to be
strengthened. Some illnesses can be reduced."
The medical effect is proved by a man surnamed Xu in the Temple of Heaven.
Eight years ago, Xu suffered from waist pain.
"After years of practising, the pain is gone," said Xu who has become a
faithful fan of the workout.
In addition, his orthodox calligraphy on paper has also greatly improved. Now
some of his works are on display in the neighbourhood where he lives.
Practising ground calligraphy is also a good way of helping the elderly
socialize and preventing loneliness. The number of elderly people in China is
growing so fast that the percentage of people over 60 will account for 10.5 per
cent of the population next year and more than 28 per cent in 2050, according to
statistics published in the media.
Many elderly people have faced an emotional crisis in the first few years of
retirement, especially when they live in the so-called empty nest, void of the
care of their grown-up children.
The social benefits of ground calligraphy could help release millions from
misery.
"It's good to have fresh air and meet people with the same interest every
morning," says Lu Nuoxian, a retiree. "We help each other and make friends
here."
Some volunteer to fetch water for all practitioners every morning. And they
provide each other with advice and encouragement.
"We find mutual support," added Dai Yuqing, who practises calligraphy with Lu
Nuoxian.
Although ground calligraphy is praised by some as an innovative branch of
Chinese calligraphy, there is a difference of opinions.
Wang Zhongqing, a calligraphy teacher at the Children's Palace in the
Chongwen District, says ground calligraphy can only be regarded as a cultural
activity for the masses. "It's different from the traditional calligraphy," she
claims.
The instrument is different, she says. The former uses a special handmade
brush with the sponge cut into a pen-point, the latter uses the traditional
writing brush with the hair of goat, wolf or other animals.
The effect is different. With the hard sponge-head, practitioners control the
brush more easily and write well. "It is only a starting point," Dai echoed.
"You need to practise traditional calligraphy at home at the same time. The best
way to improve calligraphy is to combine the traditional practice with this
innovation."
