Writing spring couplets is good for one’s health, as it trains hand-eye coordination, concentration and cognitive ability, and can even help ease anxiety and loneliness, Taiwanese academics said.
Calligraphy trains coordination between the eyes, hands and brain, as the eyes follow the brushstrokes and communicate with the brain, which in turn moves the hands, National Taiwan Normal University Chinese professor Huang Ming-li (黃明理) said on Saturday.
Standing and writing larger pieces extends the range of physical activity, he added.
Photo: CNA
Hua Wu Ink Calligraphy founder Juan Ying-tung (阮穎彤) said that practicing calligraphy strengthens small muscles in the fingers and helps the brain better control the body’s extremities, supporting “unity between hand and mind.”
It helps prevent cognitive degeneration in older people, improve coordination and sharpen concentration as the writer focuses on the structure and strokes of each character, she said.
In this busy modern world, focusing on each individual stroke and being present in the moment can help soothe anxiety and provide peace and calm, she added.
Writing spring couplets during the Lunar New Year can bring even greater benefits, Huang said.
Picking up a brush, dipping it in ink and writing on special red paper for the holiday creates a sense of novelty, especially since brushes are rarely used in daily life, he said.
Spring couplets are full of positive messages and good wishes, and can be paired with zodiac-themed illustrations, he said.
Freely writing and drawing on festive, red paper can lift one’s spirits, he added.
Juan said she recently led a spring couplet writing session for older people.
Although the event was quiet, she could feel excitement in the air, she said.
Older people could freely express their New Year’s wishes through auspicious words and interact with others by sharing their work, Juan said.
This strengthens their social connections and fosters positive emotional development, she added.
In related news, Huafan University said it is planning to launch a calligraphy appreciation program for people 30 and older, hoping to revitalize the art as data show a serious decline in calligraphy talent nationwide.
The curriculum would cover calligraphy fundamentals, creative design, market practices and exhibitions, Dean of the College of Humanities and Arts Huang Chih-yang (黃智陽) said.
The program hopes to support the field of calligraphy and address the lack of rising artists, he said.
The soul of calligraphy lies in human sentiment and artistic talent, which digital tools and artificial intelligence cannot replace, Huafan University president Lee Tien-jen (李天任) said.
To further promote calligraphy, the university’s East Asian Calligraphy Research Center is hosting an exhibition featuring works by 32 famous calligraphers with a range of styles, showing the limitless possibilities of calligraphy.
The exhibition runs until March 4.
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