Calligraphy of Yue Fei

Author: Huang Quanxin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1998-03-01
Features: Poetry possesses the spirit of heroes, and the book embodies the posture of dragons and tigers. Yue Fei and Lin Zexu were not only national heroes with indomitable spirits but also talented poets and calligraphers. Yue Fei's poem "Man Jiang Hong" has long been widely acclaimed, with its passionate and heroic verses embodying Yue Fei's loyal and patriotic spirit and fighting posture. Even while imprisoned, he never forgot [When will I be called to lead the sharp troops, with one whip flowing straight to the clear He and Luo rivers]. Lin Zexu's lines [Scattering the barbarian smoke, the sea becomes like a mirror, the clear air will forever linger in the scorching land] are the anthem of justice for the Chinese nation. The lines he wrote while dismissed from office and exiled: [Weak in power but heavy in responsibility, I have grown weary long ago. If it benefits the country, life or death is insignificant. Why should I avoid misfortune or pursue fortune!] reveal his focus on the greater good of the nation, his courage to face danger, and his noble quality of being willing to sacrifice his life without hesitation. Yue Fei's calligraphy is primarily in running and cursive styles. Song Dynasty poet Fang Yue described it as "Old black flying, the spirit of loyalty and righteousness shining like fire." In Ming Dynasty Xie Zhaozhen's "Miscellaneous Notes from Jidong Collection," it is said: "The handwriting of Yue Wumu's request for grain is exquisite small regular script, completely resembling Yan Wugu's style." His "Eulogy to the Ancient Battlefields" features powerful and sharp strokes, as if golden swords and iron horses galloping across vast battlefields. His "Front and Back Memorial to the Emperor" is even more impressive, with its (galloping like a fine horse) and (powerful as a thousand), full of unrestrained brushwork and indomitable spirit, as if long spears and shields were being wielded with great skill, exuding a posture of "When young, the banners and flags led ten thousand men." Yue Fei's calligraphy also aligns well with the calligraphic style of the Song Dynasty.