On April 20, CLTA-WA hosted a warm and inspiring member networking event at the Green Lake Library, attended by more than a dozen engaged members. The gathering began with light ice-breaking activities that sparked conversation and set a friendly tone for the morning.
This date was chosen with special intention — it coincided with 谷雨 (Grain Rain), a seasonal marker in the Chinese calendar that signals the end of spring among the 24 traditional solar terms. According to legend, it was during this season that Cangjie, the mythical inventor of Chinese characters, created the script with such profound impact that the heavens wept grain-like rain in response. In recognition of this rich cultural symbolism, the United Nations designated this day as Chinese Language Day to honor the origin of Chinese writing. Inspired by this, CLTA-WA chose to celebrate with a calligraphy-focused event that not only explored the beauty of Chinese characters but also paid tribute to their deep historical and cultural roots.
The highlight of the event was a captivating presentation by Prof. Xiao Xinghua — retired professor of astrophysics at Beijing Normal University, former Deputy Director of the Oracle Calligraphy Research Institute at Imperial University of Beijing, and a passionate advocate for Chinese art and culture in the United States.
At 89 years old, Prof. Xiao impressed everyone with his vibrant energy and powerful voice. He shared a rich introduction to the origins of oracle bone script and the evolution of Chinese characters, emphasizing the artistic essence of calligraphy. His talk highlighted the unique spirit, or “气,” conveyed through calligraphy, and how artists express emotion and character through brushwork.
The presentation was enriched by a particularly distinctive dimension through Prof. Xiao’s unique perspective as a physicist, when he used quadrant-based diagrams to demonstrate the structure of basic calligraphy strokes — an unexpected and enlightening approach that offered a fresh lens for understanding the art.
To everyone’s amazement, Prof. Xiao also gave a live demonstration, swiftly and fluidly writing the Song Dynasty poem Awaiting a Guest (《约客》) in cursive script (草书), capturing both the spirit of the poem and the expressive power of calligraphy. This poem, evoking the peaceful, rain-soaked stillness of a spring evening awaiting a guest, was a fitting and poetic nod to the Grain Rain solar term (谷雨时节) and the seasonal theme of the gathering. Following that, member participants practiced writing the character “福,” guided by Prof. Xiao’s thoughtful instruction.
To the delight of many, several attendees received a copy of The Calligraphy and Painting Collection of Xiao Xinghua and Wang Hua as a generous gift.
We thank Prof. Xiao for sharing his wisdom and passion, and we look forward to more enriching gatherings with our community.
