What is Shufa

 Chinese calligraphy, also called Chinese brush calligraphy or “shufa”, is a high art form unique to China. Many Asian cultures have originated their own calligraphy styles, but China’s is unequaled because of its beauty, grace, and history. The artistic value of the calligraphy is found in the rhythm and lines. It is an outlet for the artist to practice self-discipline and concentration as well as release his innermost thoughts and emotions. Many Chinese regard it on a level above music, paintings, and statues, and equal to poetry as a form of self-expression.

Today Chinese calligraphy is once again a countrywide discipline and art-form highly appreciated and sought across the world. Anyone can practice it and all that is required is a simple set including: brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Calligraphy is often combined with landscape paintings. Artists paint beautiful backgrounds of mountains, lakes, trees, and bamboo and then write proverbs, sayings, or poems in calligraphy in the foreground. This is where the term "calligraphy painting" comes from.