How many categories are there in Chinese Classical art? (Six types of Chinese classical Art)

Chinese traditional art is appreciated by people all over the world for its rich local flavor, rich artistic connotation and vivid historical sites.

Definition of art:

One of the definitions of art is a social ideology that reflects societal life by shaping images that are more representative than reality itself. Chinese traditional art, created by Chinese painters, calligraphers, craftsmen, poets, architects, and other artists throughout Chinese history, presents a cultural panorama of China’s social and historical life through their understanding of China, society, and the environment. These artists convey their understanding and expression of traditional Chinese culture, values, and aesthetics, as well as their reflections and insights on society, humanity, and nature through their works. Their creations are not only artistic expressions but also witnesses and records of Chinese social history, carrying rich cultural connotations and emotional experiences. By appreciating and understanding Chinese traditional art, we can gain a better understanding of Chinese history, culture, and social development, and draw wisdom and inspiration from it.

There are six types of Chinese classical art:

The core content of Chinese classical art should include

1. Classical Chinese painting (mural, sculpture, Chinese painting, calligraphy, printmaking)
2. Chinese classical music
3. Classical Chinese literature (including novels, plays, poems)
4. Chinese Classical Dance (Court and folk music dance)
5. Chinese classical Gardens and Architecture
6. Classical Chinese handicrafts (including ceramics, woven embroidery, jade and metal handicrafts, furniture, etc.).

The heritage of Chinese traditional art is extremely rich and brilliant. Painting, calligraphy, music, dance, opera, garden, architecture, sculpture, arts and crafts, traditional food, traditional costumes, etc., have been accumulated for thousands of years and all possess great creativity, all of which have deepened ancient civilization. The 5,000-year cultural heritage is the precious wealth of the Chinese nation and of all mankind.

① Chinese classical painting:

The history of Chinese painting can be traced back to the pottery decoration and rock paintings of the Neolithic Age in primitive society. Although the original painting technique is naive, it has mastered preliminary modeling capabilities and can capture the main features of plants and animals. Expressing the beliefs, aspirations and lives of our ancestors.

In China, the authenticity of painting reached its peak in the Song Dynasty in the 12th century. In particular, Guo Xi’s Early Spring Picture Scroll is the peak of realism. Later, he turned to subjective taste. Since Wang Wei was said that there is painting in poetry and poetry in painting, literati painting has taken a place in history, and it continues to this day.

Chinese painting is an important part of Chinese culture, rooted in the soil of national culture. It uses brush, ink and rice paper as special materials to construct a unique perspective theory, boldly and freely breaking the limitations of time and space, with a high degree of generality and imagination. This outstanding skill and means not only makes traditional Chinese painting unique. Art is powerful and is increasingly being absorbed by the world of modern art.

② Chinese classical music:

Traditional music is divided into five categories: song, song and dance music, rap music, opera and instrumental music. “Chinese traditional music” refers to the music created by the Chinese people using the inherent methods of the nation, adopting the inherent forms of the nation and having the inherent characteristics of the nation. It can be seen that traditional music includes “folk music” but does not include “new music”, but it is “Chinese music”.

Traditional music is an extremely important part of Chinese national music. The difference between traditional music and new music is not in the order of the time of composition, but in the form and style of expression. For example, the Erhu solo “Two springs Reflecting the Moon” and “Fishing Boat Singing at Night” are modern music works, but their performance forms are inherent to the Chinese nation, so they are also traditional music. In contrast, the solo piano “Shepherd” is not traditional music because its musical form borrows from Western music.

③ Chinese classical literature:

Literature is a language art that uses language to shape images to reflect social life and is an important part of culture.

Chinese classical literature is the shining classic works in the history of Chinese literature. It is an extraordinary treasure in the Treasury of world literature.

Classical Chinese literature has many forms of expression, such as poetry, prose, and novels, as well as Song Ci, Fu Ci, and music. A variety of styles, a variety of artistic expression techniques, make the Chinese classical literature appear colorful. For thousands of years, Chinese traditional culture has nurtured Chinese classical literature, which has greatly enriched Chinese traditional culture and made traditional culture have more far-reaching influence.

④ Chinese classical dance:

Chinese classical dance originated in ancient China and has a long history and profound knowledge. It combines many movements and styles from martial arts and opera, paying special attention to the role of the eyes in the performance, emphasizing the coordination of breathing, rhythm and style, the unique beauty of the East and the softness of the East are fascinating. Chinese classical dance mainly consists of rhythm, body and technique. Rhythm is the essence of Chinese classical dance. The charm of each dance is different.

The classical dance in the fertile land of Chinese traditional culture emphasizes the rhythm of “the combination of form and spirit, the mutual integration of body and mind, and the unification of interior and exterior”. Charm is the soul of Chinese classical dance. The true meaning of body rhythm is created by the idea of “the shape of God and the shape of God.”

Chinese classical dance music mostly uses instruments unique to China, such as the guzheng, erhu and pipa. Chinese classical dance costumes are very peculiar, and each costume has its own characteristics according to the specific requirements of the dance. Han and Tang dances mostly use traditional Hanfu.

⑤ Chinese classical Gardens and Architecture:

The original forms of classical Chinese gardens are “nurseries” and “gardens”, which date back to the 21st century BC. In the Shang Dynasty, monarchs built a high platform in the temple to worship the gods, named “Lingtai.”

The history of Chinese classical gardens is usually divided into five periods, namely the formation period, the transition period, the heyday period, the maturity period and the late maturity period. The art of Chinese classical garden refers to the form of Chinese garden represented by the private garden in Jiangnan and the royal garden in northern China. In Chinese Han architecture, the classical garden is a unique building and has made remarkable achievements. It is recognized by the world as the mother of the world garden, a world artistic wonder and an important heritage of human civilization.

⑥ Chinese classical craft:

Porcelain is a great invention of ancient China. Most of the world’s porcelain technology was imported from China.

Ancient jade is the cornerstone of Chinese civilization. Since ancient times, the Chinese people have admired jade for its impeccable beauty.