The eight strokes in Chinese calligraphy

The smallest unit of the Chinese character is the stroke. The number of fundamental strokes can be reduced to eight. With these eight strokes and their variations, one can compose 214 basic characters called "keys" or more accurately "graphic elements." All sinograms (= Chinese characters) are keys or compounds of several keys.

Here are the eight fundamental strokes introduced by the character "eternity":

1. the dot (dian)
2. the horizontal stroke (heng)
3. the vertical stroke (shu)
4. the hook (gou)
5. the raised stroke (“ti” or “tiao”)
6. the descending stroke from right to left (pie)
7. the descending stroke from right to left (pie)
8. the descending stroke from left to right (na)

Note: 5 and 6 form the broken stroke (zhe)

To master the writing of characters, the Chinese student must know the order and direction of the strokes composing each sinogram.

In Chinese calligraphy, these principles are of course respected and are generally known because a calligraphy student must already have basic knowledge of the Chinese language.

To draw these fundamental strokes with a brush, other rules are added to those mentioned above.

The dot

1. Start in the opposite direction of the dot to come back down on the right.
2. Finish in the opposite direction while gradually lifting the brush.

The horizontal stroke

1. Start in the opposite direction from the top to take the direction of the stroke with a small hook.
2. Regular horizontal stroke.
3. Finish in the opposite direction by going up a little and then continuing down while gradually lifting the brush.

The vertical stroke

1. Start in the opposite direction from the top to take the direction of the stroke with a small hook.
2. Regular downward stroke.
3. Gradually lift the brush to finish the stroke.

The hook

1. Start as for the vertical stroke (sketch) or as any other stroke (since the hook only exists integrated into another stroke).
2. Finish by pressing at an angle of about 45° to the left side and lift the brush completely to the left.

The raised stroke

1. Start in the opposite direction to take the direction of the stroke with a small hook from the bottom to the right.
2. Gradually lift the brush to finish the stroke.

The descending stroke from right to left

1. Start in the opposite direction to take the direction of the stroke with a small hook from the bottom to the right.
2. Gradually lift the brush to finish the stroke.

The broken stroke

1. Start in the opposite direction from the top to take the direction of the stroke with a small hook.
2. Press the brush down to the right.
3. Gently finish with a small loop started on the right while gradually lifting the brush.

The descending stroke from left to right

1. Start in the opposite direction to take the direction of the stroke with a small hook from the bottom to the right.
2. Regular stroke.
3. Press the brush and then gradually lift it to finish the stroke.