Wang Xizhi's Orchid Pavilion Preface

Author: Zhen Shi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: This book selects characters from the representative work "Lanting Preface" by Wang Xizhi of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (Tang Dynasty Feng Chengsu copy). Besides selecting the original characters with refinement, all missing characters are constructed based on relevant strokes and the calligraphic rules of other works, striving to be as close as possible to complete the whole.
Couplets, as a unique literary form in China, are said to have first appeared in the words inscribed by Emperor Meng Chang of the Later Shu in the Five Dynasties period on peach symbol boards at his sleeping door on New Year's Eve: "Accepting the remaining blessings of the past year, celebrate the long spring of the fine season." They were first used on pillars around the Song Dynasty, hence the name. Couples were at their peak in the Ming and Qing dynasties, not only seen on pillars in halls but also widely used on door porches, study rooms, flower halls, living rooms, kitchens, and more, reflecting the owner's sentiments and elegance. Also known as "duilian," they consist of two symmetrical upper and lower couplets, requiring the number of characters, meaning, tonal patterns, and parts of speech to be balanced to be considered well-crafted. Common character counts include five-character, seven-character, and eight-character couplets, as well as very short three- or four-character ones and very long ones with over a hundred characters. The content often includes poems, maxims, or collections of previous works or self-composed sentiments, with calligraphic styles ranging from regular script, cursive script, clerical script, and seal script—all equally suitable.
Over a thousand years of development have produced countless exquisite couplets, many of which are still in use today. Since the reform and opening-up, people's living and development environments have undergone tremendous changes. New concepts like the knowledge economy and revitalizing the nation through science and education, combined with traditional virtues such as propriety, integrity, frugality, and honesty, loyalty, and trustworthiness, have formed the new social behavioral norms. A large number of new couplets addressing new things and content have emerged with the times, meeting the practical needs of modern cultural life. Therefore, compiling these practical couplets into a book and using computer technology to collect characters from famous calligraphic works of past generations to form couplets is not only beneficial for learners to practice writing but also facilitates actual creative work—a win-win situation. This is also the original intention behind compiling the "New Concept Calligraphy Series" and the fundamental reason for its repeated reprints and popularity in the market.
This book selects characters from the "Lanting Preface" by Wang Xizhi of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Wang Xizhi, originally from Linyi, Shandong, served as the Right Military General and revolutionized calligraphy, transforming the simple and rustic style of the Han and Wei dynasties into the elegant and flowing modern style, earning him the title of "Sage of Calligraphy." His "Lanting Preface" is also praised as the "Greatest Running Script in the World." In compiling this book, in addition to selecting the original characters with refinement, all missing ones are constructed based on relevant strokes and the calligraphic rules of other works, striving to be as close as possible to complete the whole.