A Comparative Study of Cultural Integration between Chinese
Calligraphy and Thai Characters
Cao Ze Yu
Institute of Problem Solving, Silpakorn University, Talingchan, Bangkok, Thailand
Keywords: Chinese Calligraphy, Thai Characters, Reorganization, Communication.
Abstract: Calligraphy is an art form with Chinese characteristics developed from the Chinese character writing
process based on Chinese characters. Calligraphy is the representative of Chinese traditional culture,
while the spirit of calligraphy is the representative of the spirit of Chinese traditional culture. In this
sense, Calligraphic aesthetics is the epitome of Chinese traditional aesthetics. In the context of global
development, the education and communication of calligraphy culture has become particularly
significant. In the process of international communication, how to combine Chinese Calligraphy with
Thai Characters is a critical way of calligraphy cultures intercultural communication. This paper
investigates the current situation of Chinese calligraphy and Thai characters’ integration application,
discovering the phenomena discovered in the internationalization of calligraphy culture at the present
stage, the existing problems, and starts with the modern transformation from the Chinese traditional
calligraphy, the calligraphy art and the body organization of Thai characters, focusing on the splitting
and reorganization of the Thai alphabet, adapting theories including composition and space of Chinese
calligraphy, reconstructing and splitting basic letters of Thai characters, combined with the combination
methods of traditional Chinese "Combination Words" and the writing method of calligraphy,
endeavoring to create a new calligraphy Thai phrase and construct a new method of calligraphy
culture’s international education and communication.
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Research Background
The cultural exchange between China and Thailand is
a vital part of the relationship between the two
countries. The culture between China and Thailand
owns a long history. After the establishment of
diplomatic relations between China and Thailand in
1975, the cultural exchanges between the two
countries were more extensive. In the 40 years since
then, the exchanges in the cultural field have
developed in a balanced and steady manner, not only
wide in range, but also in frequency. The cultural
exchanges between the two countries have become
increasingly prosperous, which has not only enhanced
the friendship between the two countries, but also
promoted the economic and cultural development of
the two countries.
In the process of the development of Chinese as a
foreign language, Chinese calligraphy has played an
important role in promoting it. However, the teaching
of Chinese calligraphy has gradually gained attention
in the latter stage. In the early days, the teaching of
Chinese as a foreign language focused on language
aspect, ignoring the cultural aspect including
calligraphy. Nowadays, with the increasing number
of people learning Chinese, the importance of
calligraphy is self-evident. More and more Chinese
learners want to know about Chinese calligraphy and
the profound cultural significance behind it, so as to
plough more about China, which best illustrated by
classroom of Chinese as a foreign language, more and
more attention has been paid to Chinese calligraphy.
However, little research has been done on overseas
calligraphy teaching.
Chinese calligraphy is a symbol of Chinese
culture for thousands of years, as well as a testimony
of Chinese history. In some extent, the reason
Chinese history has been continuously passed down
lies on the inheritance of Chinese characters, yet
Chinese characters are based on Chinese calligraphy.
The horizontal and vertical of calligraphy represents
Chinese people’s the criterion of conducting
themselves. Technique of writing and ink style, as
well as blank in space is the embodiment of Chinese
Yu, C.
A Comparative Study of Cultural Integration between Chinese Calligraphy and Thai Characters.
DOI: 10.5220/0009395804690478
In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Interdisciplinary Arts and Humanities (ICONARTIES 2019), pages 469-478
ISBN: 978-989-758-450-3
Copyright
c
2020 by SCITEPRESS Science and Technology Publications, Lda. All rights reserved
469
art aesthetics. Moreover, combining Chinese
calligraphy teaching with Chinese character teaching
can also play a mutual promotion role, as using
calligraphy teaching to promote the progress and
consolidation of Chinese character teaching, because
calligraphy is taught on the basis of Chinese
characters, and the elbow of practicing calligraphy is
also the consolidation of Chinese characters. Link
Chinese calligraphy with Thai, design, and word-
related disciplines, combining calligraphy culture
with Thai characters, creating cultural resonance and
enhancing cultural recognition, which in turn can
enhance the exchange of Chinese calligraphy culture
and Thai culture, finally strive to carry forward
Chinese calligraphy.
1.2 Research Objectives
This paper mainly studies the "Calligraphy Nine Style
of Brushstrokes" of soft pen calligraphy in Chinese
calligraphy. Apply the technique of “Calligraphy
Nine Style of Brushstrokes” to the writing of Thai.
Moreover, make words out of the common phrase,
greetings used in Thai through the Chinese
"combination word" space composition, meaning and
other combinations. Combine Thai characters and
Chinese calligraphy culture with new art forms,
enhance the public acceptance and recognition of
calligraphy culture, promote the international
development of calligraphy culture, and upgrade the
cultural exchange between China and Thailand.
1.3 Research Significance
For the teaching of calligraphy for foreign Chinese
learners, because the teaching objects are not in the
context of Chinese culture, they know little about
Chinese traditional culture and its aesthetic methods.
Therefore, the main purpose of teaching is to
understand basic calligraphy knowledge and master
the basics writing skills, while emphasis more about
the cultural connotations contained in them, increasing
the understanding of traditional Chinese culture.
The rhythm of calligraphy is expressed in terms of
lines, knots, chapters, and ink colors. Calligraphy is the
art of lines, with the regular repetition of the
characteristic brushwork forming the rhythm of the
lines. The knot refers to the arrangement of each word
point and the arrangement of situations. The certain
relationship formed between the strokes is the word
stroke. The consistency of the font stroke constitutes
the rhythm of the knot; Chapter refers to layout, the
connection between fonts forming lines, and the lines
forming the whole article, integrated by the appropriate
kerning between fonts and neat arrangement between
rows, forming the rhythm of the whole chapter in
regular organization and repetition constitute; The
alternation of black and white, such as dense-and-thin,
dry-and-wet, withered-and-moist, light-and-heavy,
gradually repeats to form the rhythm of ink.
The art of calligraphy is closely related to life,
with wide participants and popular among public, a
traditional Chinese art with unique nationality
features, which profoundly reflects the aesthetic
conception and artistic spirit of Chinese culture.
Chinese learners can get a glimpse of Chinese culture
through their understanding of calligraphy art. In this
process, they can not only upgrade their perspectives
on Chinese culture, but also lay a cultural foundation
for their future communication with Chinese people.
Calligraphy teaching is very helpful to foreign
learners in both Chinese character learning and
cultural learning. Thai people also have a keen
interest in calligraphy, thus enhancing the friendly
exchanges between China and Thailand and creating
favorable conditions for a better understanding and
contact with Chinese society for local people.
1.4 Research Methods
1.4.1 Literature Research Method
According to the topic and concept of the thesis,
adapting the relevant literatures through the network,
library and other media, which have been carefully
read and analyzed, lay a theoretical foundation for the
writing of this paper.
1.4.2 Interview Method
Conduct in-depth interviews with teachers and
students of the Confucius Institute in Phuket during
the spare time, collecting the most authentic first-
hand information. Through analyzing the information
obtained in interviews, find the problems existing in
the actual use of Chinese calligraphy, proposing
solutions and suggestions in the paper through
analysis and research.
2 MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION
2.1 The Evolution of Chinese
Character Glyphs
Calligraphy is the bearer of China's excellent culture,
from the historical record of the Oracle, Silk Script,
Bamboo Slips, stone inscriptions on tablets to the
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470
authentic works left by the great calligraphers of the
past dynasties, which carries the cultural essences of
Chinese characters, poetry, history, geography,
philosophy and folklore. The art of calligraphy is
closely related to life, with wide participants and
popular among public, a traditional Chinese art with
unique nationality features, which profoundly reflects
the aesthetic conception and artistic spirit of Chinese
culture.
Chinese characters originate from the figure of the
note. When the figure is more and more simple, more
abstract, and can be read out, it represents the fixed
words in the language, thus the figure is the original
text. Before the Qin unified nation’s text, Chinese
characters were confused in terms of both fonts and
applications. In the broad sense, ancient Chinese text
includes Dazhuan (Ancient seal script developed in
the late Xizhou Dynasty), and words before
Xiaozhuan (Later seal script developed in the Qin
Dynasty); In the narrow sense, it refers to the words
before Dazhuan (Ancient seal script developed in the
late Xizhou Dynasty) in the history of Chinese
characters.
Oracle is a symbol on the tortoise shell or animal
bone, mainly emerging in the Shang and Zhou
dynasties, used to record the sacrifices, alliances or
divination, which is the earliest known Chinese
character system. Oracle is the earliest Chinese
character, with the characteristics of early Chinese
characters: strong picturesque feature, no
formalization in writing, different sizes, and
randomness. In 1954, the oracle bones of the Zhou
Dynasty were also discovered in Shanxi.
Figure 1: Chinese oracle bone font.
Jin Wen (Bronze inscription) refers to the
inscription written on the Yin Zhou bronze ware, also
known as Zhongding Wen. Shang and Zhou dynasties
is the era of bronzes, whose sacrificial vessel is
represented by Ding, and instruments represented by
bells. "Zhong Ding" is synonymous with bronze.
Figure 2: The evolution of Jinwen (bronze inscription) and
Xiaozhuan (Later seal script developed in the Qin Dynasty)
In fact, Jinwen (Bronze inscription) has developed
into Dazhuan (Ancient seal script developed in the
late Xizhou Dynasty). Thoughout the history of
Chinese writing, the three generations of Xia, Shang
and Zhou Dynasty, as far as their contribution to
philology is concerned, Shizhou is of great
significance. Shizhou is the historian of King Xuan’s
Zhou Dynasty, who created new inscription to make
writing easier. Dazhuan is also known as Zhuanwen,
Zhouzhuan, Zhoushu and Shi Script. Because it was
written by Shizhou, it was called "Zhou Wen" in the
past. Dazhuan is scattered in Shuowen Jiezi (origin of
Chinese Characters) and various Zhongding Yi
instruments collected by later generations. Among
them, the stone drum inscriptions written by King
Xuan of Zhou dynasty are the most famous.
The beauty in the form of calligraphy works is
determined by the beauty in the form of Chinese
characters. The evolution of Chinese characters from
Lishu (Clerical script), Kaishu (Regular script),
Xingshu (Running script) and Caoshu (cursive script)
has created differences in the glyphs of Chinese
characters in various periods. On this basis, together
with the artistic processing of calligraphers, various
unique calligraphy works have been created, which
has been passed down to become our precious wealth.
The beauty in the form of calligraphy is mainly
manifested in three aspects: the beauty of the strokes,
the rhythm of brushes, and the beauty in the space of
structure.
The beauty of the strokes. Chinese calligraphy has
a certain emphasis on the use of brushes. The basic
requirements for writing are the empty palm, the
hanging wrist, and middle front. The requirement of
operating brushes is "force according to artistic
conception ". Although it is different in fast-and-
slow, light and heavy, it must be stable. This kind of
force is not brute, but it is force-oriented, with the
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focus on the front end, utilizing power of the whole
body to send to the tip of the pen through the arm,
wrist, hand, finger, from the tube to the tip, “Stroke
as if it can hold a Ding (Tripod)” , “Penetrating effort
as if it can puncture the paper”, “bold and vigorous
strokes” .
The word "Yanjin Liugu" is a compliment to the
beauty of Yan Zhenqing and Liu Gongquan's
calligraphy, representing the rhythmic beauty of
strokes. The rhythm of calligraphy is expressed in
terms of lines, knots, chapters, and ink colors.
Calligraphy is the art of lines, with the regular
repetition of the characteristic brushwork forming the
rhythm of the lines. The knot refers to the
arrangement of each word point and the arrangement
of situations. The certain relationship formed between
the strokes is the word stroke. The consistency of the
font stroke constitutes the rhythm of the knot; Chapter
refers to layout, the connection between fonts
forming lines, and the lines forming the whole article,
integrated by the appropriate kerning between fonts
and neat arrangement between rows, forming the
rhythm of the whole chapter in regular organization
and repetition constitute; The alternation of black and
white, such as dense-and-thin, dry-and-wet, withered-
and-moist, light-and-heavy, gradually repeats to form
the rhythm of ink.
The beauty in the space of structure. The beauty
in the space of structure mainly embodied the beauty
of peaceful harmony, the beauty of fluency and
universality, and "counting white as darkness", the
beauty of illusion and reality. Homogeneity is the
basic requirement. Homogeneity is not rigid or dull
but requires a balance of forces. Fluency and
naturalness require the works to be real and alive, not
deliberately, and the layout is natural. The
combination of virtual and real requires harmony
between black and white, and contrast between
virtual and real. Compared with the one-sided
teaching of Chinese characters, calligraphy is more
novel and interesting, and the formal beauty of
calligraphy art is more intuitive and expressive,
which can arouse people's interest.
The beauty in the space of structure incarnates in
aspects of lines, knots, chapters, and ink colors.
Calligraphy is the art of lines, with the regular
repetition of the characteristic brushwork forming the
rhythm of the lines. The knot refers to the
arrangement of each word point and the arrangement
of situations. The certain relationship formed between
the strokes is the word stroke. The consistency of the
font stroke constitutes the rhythm of the knot; Chapter
refers to layout, the connection between fonts
forming lines, and the lines forming the whole article,
integrated by the appropriate kerning between fonts
and neat arrangement between rows, forming the
rhythm of the whole chapter in regular organization
and repetition constitute; The alternation of black and
white, such as dense-and-thin, dry-and-wet, withered-
and-moist, light-and-heavy, gradually repeats to form
the rhythm of ink.
2.2 The " Calligraphy Nine Style of
Brushstrokes " of Chinese
Traditional Calligraphy Fonts
The so-called " Nine Style of Brushstrokes " are the
nine methods and rules for brushstrokes. Caiyong (
BC 133-192), Eastern Han Dynasty writer and
calligrapher. Caiyong’s calligraphy is "various in
body and law, perfect in spirit, unique throughout
history" (Tang Dynasty-- Zhang Huaiguan). Emperor
Wu of Liang in Nan Dynasty also complimented his
scripts as "moral integrity and open, refreshing and of
divine power." His book theory, especially the
legendary "brushstroke theory", focuses on the
spiritual state that a calligrapher should have. " Nine
Style of Brushstrokes “or " Nine Style of
Brushstrokes in Eight Technique" first proposed the
important thought of " Script is in nature. Since the
nature has been established, yin and yang have born,
thus coming out the situation”, which reveals the
philosophical basis of calligraphy beauty, and then
elaborated eight rules of using brushstrokes,
occupying an important position in the history of
Chinese script theory.
"Nine Style of Brushstrokes " is also known as "
Nine Style of Brushstrokes in Eight Technique",
which is often said to be written by Caiyong of the
Eastern Han Dynasty. In the Song Dynasty, Chen Si
imported the book "the Essence of Script ", and wrote
the most part of Yan Zhenqing's " 12 Implications of
Zhang Changshi's to the " Nine Style of Brushstrokes
" as a completion. " Nine Style of Brushstrokes " was
reprinted in the third volume of " Pei Wenzhai's
Painting and Calligraphy Table ", with the “Eight
Technique” deleted, written as " Nine Style of
Brushstrokes ". It has been preserved since then and
has an important position in the history of Chinese
script theory. The so-called " Nine Style of
Brushstrokes " are the nine methods and rules for
brushstrokes.
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472
Figure 3: Cai Yongxi Pingshi Sutra
"Script is in nature. Since the nature has been
established, yin and yang have born, thus coming out
the situation. Hiding the head and protecting the tail,
force is in the words, strengthening in stroking,
beauty lying on the skin. Therefore, it is said that if
the strokes have come, it can not be stopped; if the
strokes have gone, it cannot be rectified, never using
soft strokes, otherwise it could end up in odd.”
" Nine Style of Brushstrokes " mainly proposed
three aesthetic concepts about calligraphy lines,
namely "Li" (Force), "Shi" (Potential) and "Cang"
(Hidden). "Li" is the center of Cai Yi's calligraphy
aesthetics. It emphasizes that "Li" is the basis of
knotting, stroke, and layout. "using force when
stroking" can make the font have the beauty of "skin".
"Shi" is a "force" that has been given directionality. It
is often used to refer to a stroke with a certain
direction in the creative process, which means that "
if the strokes have come, it can not be stopped; if the
strokes have gone, it cannot be rectified ". "Cang"
originated from the philosophical thought of "A
decent man often hide its advantages", emphasizing
that calligraphy creation needs to be subtle and calm.
When it comes to operating strokes, it is necessary to
"hide the head and protect the tail", thus highlighting
the tension of calligraphy lines.
2.2.1 Luobi (to begin the stroke)
"Where the stroke begins, the tops are covered, the
bottoms are placed to connect the top, so that the
situation is reflected, and there is no adverse
potential." That is to say, if the structure of the stroke
is written, the upper part should cover the lower part
and the lower part should connect with the upper part,
letting the glyphs related to each other and should not
be deviated from the situation.
2.2.2 Zhuanbi (nonstop front turning)
"Return the pen, it is advisable to review the left and
right, without making the knot solitary." Turning the
stroke should make the tip round, with intermittent
but pay attention to the continuity, and do not make
the discontinuity appear in isolation.
2.2.3 Cangfeng (front-hiding)
"Cangfeng, the strokes intending to the left should be
right first, the strokes to the left should back to the
right." This is shown in the beginning and end of
strokes, the strokes intending to the left should be
right first, the strokes to the left should back to the
right.
2.2.4 Cangtou (head-hiding)
"Cangtou, round brush belongs to paper, so that the
heart of the brush is often in the point of painting."
generally referred to as to at the beginning of a stroke,
the tip of the brush is moving towards the opposite
direction of the stroke intends to be, which is the
process of gaining momentum, after that, press down
the slant on the flat paper, making the brush’s center
running in the point painting.
2.2.5 Huwei (tail protecting)
"Tail guard, drawing points to exhaust the
momentum, and force is end." It includes two
meanings: First, when the stroke is closed, the brush
is not separated from the paper, and recovered at the
end of the painting, which echoes with the stroke to
form a potential loopback; Secondly, when the stroke
is closed, the brush leaves the paper surface in the air,
the recovery potential is also formed with the brush.
Therefore, we must not think that "the force is in the
word" means that the brush can never leave the paper,
but see that there are many forms of force and
strength, not only sticking to the literal meaning of
"hidden" or "protection".
2.2.6 Jishi (rapid brush movement)
"Jishi is out of vertical and horizon slants, and it is
within the shackles." Refers to the fast, the rapid
stroke. However, the reference here is not simple fast,
but the first short slant on the right side of the word
"Zhuo", just like “Yong”, first hidden its front, then
turning the stroke down to the right, halting, then the
line is turned to the left, ending in sharp slant. Pull
out. "Zhe" means wave painting, so-called three turns
in one wave. The first turn is a little shorter, the stroke
is slightly faster, the second turn is slightly longer,
and the stroke is slowed down; the third turn is fast-
moving, near the front, and it is end at the same time.
"Yue", as the "Yong"’sthe hook of the vertical
painting, before the hook is a slap, and then suddenly
rises, like the power of kicking.
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473
2.2.7 Lvebi
"Lvebi is used in the rapid stroke." It is used in the
long line of slant, such as the word "Guang" in the left
downside, writing a long slant, initially a vertical
stroke, and going to the left in the middle; when there
is a slight press, so that the strokes are thicker, and
then end in a hasty, such the short-stroke is slightly
loosened, so it is called "Zanhuan", and there is a
sense of distraction. Then it is a tense end of strokes,
which is the law of “Zan”; it is also a tight ending, so
it is called "Junzan". In these two styles, end the long
slant of Lvebi.
2.2.8 Seshi (slow brush movement)
"The strategy of Seshi is moving forward in tense" In
the way of intense and rapid fighting forward, it is
said to overcome resistance and move forward.
2.2.9 Hengling
Horizontal scales, vertical gauges. Refers to the
strokes of both horizontal and vertical strokes.
Horizontal paintings should not be simple flush,
slippery, but must be like fish scales, seemingly flat
but internal uneven. Vertical strokes should not fall
down straight, and must be combination of slow and
fast, and there are slow in the rapid moving, such as
draw rein on horse, in the constant relaxation and
tightening from time to time, it is called the horizontal
scales with vertical rein.
The above is so called " Nine Style of
Brushstrokes ". Upon digestion, you can understand
the ancients without teachers at all, with efforts and
hard working to reach a wonderful attainment. This
sentence is intended educate the latter learner. As
long as the learners have mastered the correct
methods, combined with hardworking, even without
the guidance of a famous teacher, they can achieve
the "wonderfulness" of calligraphy.
2.3 The Evolution of Thai and Thai
Characters
Thai belongs to the Qin and Han branches of the Sino-
Tibetan language family, and Thai is the official
language used in Thailand. Thai is a kind of
alphabetic writing. About 30% of Thai is similar to
Cambodian. Many words, especially polysyllabic
ones, originate in Pali and Sanskrit. Because of the
long-standing traditional friendship between China
and Thailand, many overseas Chinese settled in
Thailand at an early stage and established kinship
with the Thai people, so there are many daily
vocabularies, including most of the numbers, among
the Thai people, and also absorbed the dialect of
southern China as part of its language. Thai has rich
vocabulary and expressiveness. Because it is a tonal
language, it is soaring in tone and instigating. Thai is
very rhyming, represented by its large number of
rhyming double-syllable words and four-syllable
vicious compound words.
The Evolution of Thai Characters. The original
Thai characters imitated in Meng and Cambodian
from about 954 AD. Then Thailand began to edit its
own characters. Among them, Thai characters were
all adapted from the form of Indian characters. If we
study Thai characters in-deepth, we will find that Thai
characters are directly related to Indian characters.
Sanskrit. Around the 12th century, the first stone
tablet in Thailand was found in Sanskrit.
Figure 5: The text of the block stone is Sanskrit.
Meng character and Khmer character. In 1283,
the Emperor Langanheng of the Sukhothai dynasty
rearranged the ancient Meng scriptures and the
ancient Orthodox Orthographic system of the Khmer
script, placing the vowels and consonants in a row.
Figure 6: Meng character and Khmer character
Lai Sue Thai" character. In 1283, the Emperor
Langanheng of the Sukhothai dynasty rearranged the
ancient Meng scriptures and the ancient Orthodox
Orthographic system of the Khmer script, placing the
vowels and consonants in a row.
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Figure 7: "Lai Sue Thai" character
The character in Pajarati period, About 1837,
the Pai Litai King of the Sukhothai Dynasty, further
developed the Thai Orthography orthography system,
which not only puts the Thai vowels and consonants
in the same rank, but also puts the vowels to the upper
and lower position of the consonant, this kind of
character, we call it "the character in Pajarati period"
Figure 8: the character in Pajarati period
The character in king of Nalai. During the Nalai
Dynasty of the Dacheng Dynasty, the style of Thai
font changed to the form of straight-line edge and
corner, and the characters were similar to those of
today. Then there were sound vowel letters with two
tone symbols, the second and third tones. By the end
of the Dacheng Dynasty, the consonant letters of the
Thai language had totally 44.
Figure 9: The character in king of Nalai
Modern Character. From 2035, the positive
Orthography of Thai language has gradually
developed into the style of today.
Figure 10, Modern Character
2.4 Comparisons between Chinese
Calligraphy and Thai Character
The Chinese characters are one word and one sound,
and each sound is divided into four tones. Therefore,
it is loud and clear to read, and it is very beautiful and
rhythmic, which can be said to be one of the most
beautiful language in the world. The poems written in
this language are pleading to hear with cadence,
especially poetry, which emphasizes on level and
oblique tones, as well as antithesis, so the verses can
be particularly neat, the rhythm is particularly clear,
and catchy. Therefore, Chinese characters are also
called one of the most beautiful words in reading.
Figure 11: Comparison of Chinese character writing and
Thai character writing
Chinese characters are flat words. Learning
Chinese spell is for Chinese characters, while Thai is
linear, with the consonants and vowels of Thai
directly used for spelling Thai characters. Therefore,
to learn Thai, it is extremely important to fully grasp
the consonants and vowels of Thai. Moreover, Thai
consonants and vowels are much more complicated
than Chinese Pinyin.
The consonants and vowels of Thai are quite
different from the writing symbols of Chinese Pinyin.
However, when writing Chinese Spell, it is not
difficult to learn on the basis of the 26 letters of
English already mastered. The difficulty in learning
A Comparative Study of Cultural Integration between Chinese Calligraphy and Thai Characters
475
lies in the pronunciation of Chinese Pinyin absent in
Thai. Thai and Chinese have different number of
tones and different tone values indicating the mark
position of tones.
Figure 12: Xu Bing's Chinese Calligraphy Font
The rhythm of calligraphy is expressed in terms of
lines, knots, chapters, and ink colors. Calligraphy is
the art of lines, with the regular repetition of the
characteristic brushwork forming the rhythm of the
lines. The knot refers to the arrangement of each word
point and the arrangement of situations. The certain
relationship formed between the strokes is the word
stroke. The consistency of the font stroke constitutes
the rhythm of the knot; Chapter refers to layout, the
connection between fonts forming lines, and the lines
forming the whole article, integrated by the
appropriate kerning between fonts and neat
arrangement between rows, forming the rhythm of the
whole chapter in regular organization and repetition
constitute; The alternation of black and white, such as
dense-and-thin, dry-and-wet, withered-and-moist,
light-and-heavy, gradually repeats to form the rhythm
of ink.
Figure 13: Xu Bing's Chinese Calligraphy Font
3 CULTURAL INTEGRATION OF
CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY AND
THAI CHARACTERS
3.1 The Historical Inheritance of
Chinese Calligraphy in Thailand
In terms of cultural integration and promotion,
Thai government agencies often organize Chinese
cultural promotion activities and actively promote the
promotion of Sino-Thai cultural exchanges. The
Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition, the
Chinese Art Exhibition, and the China Culture
Experience Week are regularly held to let the people
feel the charm of Chinese culture at close range.
Through the understanding of calligraphy art,
learners can give a glimpse of Chinese culture. In this
process, they can not only upgrade their views on
Chinese culture, but also lay a cultural foundation for
their future communication with Chinese people. The
main body of calligraphy creation is the calligrapher.
The successful calligraphy works reflect the
personality spirit of the calligrapher and the aesthetic
characteristics of the times.
They not only have the form beauty, but also lie
inside interacting with Chinese culture, with
integrated symbiosis. Through the accumulation of
individual style of calligraphers and the deposition of
aesthetic fashion in the past dynasties, it eventually
became an art category with unique spiritual beauty
of Chinese culture.
During the Thai Citizens' Rights Protection Day
Conference in Bangkok, the Prime Minister of
Thailand, Ba Yu, and the relevant government
departments attended the meeting. After the meeting,
officials from Ba Yu and related departments watched
the exhibition of art works exhibited by
representatives of students from special schools
across Thailand.
Ba Yu visited everyone's work with extensive
interest. When he came to the Chinese calligraphy
display table, Ba Yu personally raised the calligraphy
of Linyi, and asked the Chinese students the
significance of these words, praising the beauty of
Chinese characters. Many Thai students and staff of
relevant government departments have expressed
their love for Chinese culture.
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476
Figure 14: Chinese Calligraphy Works of the Summer
Palace of Emperor Tai V
3.2 Daily Use of Chinese Calligraphy
and Thai Writing in Thailand
For the Chinese, Thailand is both intimate and
mysterious. The intimacy is that there are many
overseas Chinese here, and the mystery is about the
Buddhist culture and various cultural legends of this
country.
Figure 15: Thai students write blessings in Chinese
calligraphy
As China and Thailand are geographically close,
more and more people come to Thailand. Many
people who travel to Thailand will stay in Bangkok
for a few days, and shopping is the most important
entertainment.
Figure 16: Chinese font application in Thailand
As Chinese tourists have risen year by year and
China's national strength has increased, there are
more and more Chinese characters on the streets of
Bangkok. These Chinese characters are not only
found in shopping centers and entertainment centers,
but also on signs on some roads. In many places in
Bangkok, the location of Chinese is more
conspicuous than English, and the font size is larger.
Some of the staff who solicited customers at the
entrance of the mall even spoke a few Chinese
greetings. At Bangkok Airport, border inspectors can
communicate with Chinese tourists in Mandarin.
There are a lot of locals who speak a few words about
Chaozhou dialect and Cantonese in commercial
streets like Chinatown.
Bangkok's tourist attractions and shopping spots
usually have Chinese characters. The Chinese
restaurant in the Chinese gathering area will also be
marked with a separate Chinese line. Chinese tourists
can order food quickly through Chinese. Not only
does the menu have a Chinese logo, but most of the
waiters in the hotel speak Mandarin. Even in the small
stalls selling fruit juices on the roadside, in order to
attract Chinese people to shop, they can also use
Chinese. For shops with Chinese logos and without
Chinese logos, the turnover varies greatly. Old people
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477
who sell pineapple on the roadside have never been
to China, but they have a good impression of the
Chinese. Among which, few know Chinese
characters, but they can write the word
"Boluomi"(refers to Pineapple) very well. Along with
frequent cultural exchanges, more and more Thai
people are beginning to learn Chinese. Even ordinary
people with low culture are learning the basic Chinese
language in a subtle way.
4 CONCLUSIONS
As a representative element of Chinese traditional
culture, Chinese calligraphy art is also an important
carrier of Chinese civilization. It is not only the
precious wealth of the Chinese people, but also a
treasure in the world culture. We have the
responsibility to introduce calligraphy teaching in
international Chinese teaching and spread the
calligraphy culture to all parts of the world.
Moreover, calligraphy teaching has a very positive
significance for international Chinese teaching,
which can not only help Chinese learners to learn
Chinese characters, but also lead them into Chinese
civilization and understand Chinese culture.
The art of calligraphy has already transcended the
national boundaries. By spreading the seeds of
calligraphy and extending the influence of Chinese
culture, it will play an irreplaceable and unique role
in promoting Chinese civilization, propitious to
promote international cultural dialogue as well as the
improvement of China's cultural soft power.
REFERENCES
Ziyan. D., 2014. Research on Chinese Characters and
Culture. Master's Thesis of Liaoning Normal
University.
Ma Lingjuan. D, 2012. Comparison Between Han-Thai
Characters and Teaching Study on Han-Thai
Characters.Master's Thesis of Zhengzhou University.
The origin of Chinese characters http://www.chinavista.
com/experience/hanzi/chhanzi.html
Ancient Chinese characters [ED/OL]. http://baike.baidu.
com/view/8170.htm
Evolution of Thai characters [ED/OL]. https://www.
gotoknow.org/posts/449330http://www.ichat.in.th/than
athnamket/topic-readid88803-page1
Ancient Chinese characters [ED/OL]. http://www.ichat.
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