Taoist Teachings: An Analysis Through Chinese Calligraphy Mary England

Department of Modern Languages , Carthage College Celebration of Scholars 2015: Exposition of Student & Faculty Research, Scholarship &Creativity

Results and Discussion The results of the project can be seen in the scroll that I created and the new knowledge that I have of high culture and the Taoist teachings.

Abstract For this class project, our goal was to select a passage from the book Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, analyze, through cross-cultural comparisons, the Confucianist and Taoist teachings, and offer a personal interpretation of our selection. From this passage we were to also choose kanji or hanzi characters that represented it and design a couplet in the Chinese calligraphy style. The significance of this project can be seen in the unique approach made to understanding the Confucianist and Taoist teachings through calligraphy, and the practice thereof, especially from the point of view of a non-native of Asia. To arrive at the characters chosen, I analyzed passage number 78 from the book Tao Te Ching. The main theme is the overcoming nature and duality of water and how it relates to the contradiction of elements throughout life. The result of this project is a scroll with the couplet I chose, done in Chinese calligraphy representing what I think passage 78 means. Introduction The main theme of passage 78 is water, the duality it possesses, and how it relates to the concept of truth. From this understanding of the nature of water, it is easy to channel that nature in life. In life, one needs to be gentle and soft, but also strong to overcome harsh obstacles. By accepting both, one can truly understand the Tao.

Experimental To undertake this project, supplies were first gathered (e.g. rice paper, ink stone, etc.). Next, a passage was selected from the book Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu (passage 78) and from this passage a couplet was created (Figure 1). Once the couplet was created, the different characters were practiced to ensure accuracy and to exemplify calligraphic aspects. After a true understanding of the characters was attained, the final characters were written on the scroll itself. After the scroll was finished, it was placed in a frame.

Figure 1. Passage 78 out of the Tao Te Ching and the resulting couplet

Acknowledgements & References A special thanks goes to faculty advisor Mimi Yang. 1. Tzu, Lao. Tao Te Ching. New York City : Barnes and Noble, 2005. Print.

78

Nothing in the world is softer or weaker than water Yet nothing is better at overcoming the hard and strong This is because nothing can replace it

That the weak overcomes the strong And the soft overcomes the hard Everybody in the world knows But cannot put into practice

Therefore sages say: The one who accepts the humiliation of the state Is called its master The one who accepts the misfortune of the state Becomes king of the world

The truth seems like the opposite

真

水水From this passage, the following characters can be derived:

知耐難 Water resists obstacles. Water knows truth.