Writing calligraphy (Chinese or Vietnamese characters) is a beautiful custom of the Vietnamese people in general and the Hanoians in particular. Through the upheavals of history, changes of social life, the asking for calligraphy artworks has many changes, but its name has not changed. Since ancient times, asking for calligraphy artworks has been considered a sacred and important thing, usually done by a man in the house. They look to the scholars to ask for matching sentences or words, take them home to hang in a solemn and conspicuous place, to pray for the success of life in general and the children’s exam study in particular. For many years, in the early days of the New Year, when people came to scholars, they often spend money to hire the scholars to write words they wish. The person asking for calligraphy artworks is any family member. Losing money to have the calligraphy to hang in the house, however, is still called ‘asking for calligraphy artworks’, not saying ‘buying calligraphy artworks’. Affordable, it is also an elegant feature that the Hanoians give to people-oriented fun about the values of Truth – Compassion – Beauty. The right way to call ‘asking for calligraphy artworks’ is also the intention to express appreciation and respect for the words.
‘Mỗi năm hoa đào nở
Lại thấy ông đồ già
Bày mực tàu giấy đỏ
Bên phố đông người qua…’
Somehow, every time I come to the Hanoi Temple of Literature, a trusted address of the Hanoians in the calligraphy, I am always flustered and think about the familiar poems of poet Vu Dinh Lien. The scholars today are different from the old men. They are not a year-round man that only teach children but can do many professions, at many different ages, however, the common point is that they love calligraphy and have a certain level of calligraphy.
The calligraphy letters, whether written in Chinese or Vietnamese, all convey the wishes of the person asking for calligraphy at artworks and express the virtues and talents of the scholars. Each letter contains its own words and meanings, you must understand the new language and its meaning, and you should ask to hang in the house. Usually, those who love calligraphy, before asking for calligraphy at artworks, have determined for themselves the calligraphy to ask. Someone is fussy, taking a walk around to choose a scholar they like to ask. There are also people who, when enjoying spring, because of feelings with cashew paper, ink, etc. just raise the intention to ask for calligraphy at artworks.
Whether it is predestined or sudden emotions, at the beginning of the year, people often ask for words containing luck and goodness: Phuc, Loc, Duc, Tho, An, Nhan, Tai, Tam, Do Dat, Thuan, etc. There are letters written in Chinese ink on cashew paper (or preprinted), but there are also words engraved on copper, made of gold, silver, gemstones, etc. very elaborate and expensive. However, calligraphy, no matter what word it is, first of all, everyone needs a pure mind. Because as the ancients taught, ‘When the mind is bright, everything becomes complete’.
In today’s hustle and bustle, asking for calligraphy artworks & giving calligraphy artworks is a cultural beauty that needs to be preserved and promoted. Soaring and winding handwriting contains the Writer’s Talent, the Mind, the Virtue of the writers and the recipient’s wishes for good things. Hopefully, the asking for calligraphy artworks – giving calligraphy artworks is always preserved to promote its spiritual beauty, as pure as the original.
Nguyen Tam