The purpose of this assignment is to discuss: 1. What Daoism and Confucianism contributed to the character of Chinese thought over the ages, and how these ideals are expressed in Xie He’s canons of painting. 2. Why calligraphy was so important in China, and whether any contemporary forms of “writing” have taken its place in the digital age. And 3. Whether I know anyone who practices feng shui and is vocal about its philosophy. What they say about it. And whether I think that feng shui is a valid line of thought.
Daoism and Confucianism
Over the ages, Chinese thought has been influenced by Taoism, as this religion and philosophy encourages individuals to act with the cosmic flow, and doing what feels right. This construct, which puts forward the need for balance and a harmonious life, is on a par with the Confucianism philosophy. People are encouraged to behave in an unselfish and better way.
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"Artwork of China".
The artist, Xie He, expressed these ideas in his cannons of painting which included: the connection between personality and handwriting; correspondence to the depicted form; the use of tone, value, and layers of color; and arrangement and placing, which corresponds to depth, space and composition.
Calligraphy
In traditional China, calligraphy represented the most crucial form of art. It was so important because it was seen as a reflection of the value of words, and gave language signs a harmonious appeal. It could generate a feeling of balance when read. Digital calligraphy is now the contemporary trend in this IT age.
Feng Shui
I had a friend from Singapore who practiced feng shui in her house. I was very curious about it, as the sparse layout of her home was very unusual. She was very vocal about feng shui, and explained that it is strongly connected to Daoism, and represents a Chinese philosophical strategy which harmonizes individuals with their environment. I believe that this practice is rational, although generally speaking, it does not seem to have any proven scientific basis.
