Description Lanting Xu (also known as Lanting JiXu) is the "Preface to the Lanting Collection of Poems," composed and hand-written by Wang XiZhi. The word “Lan” means orchids, and “ting” means pavilion, so the structure is also known as the “Orchids Pavillion.”Wang Xizhi’s most celebrated piece of calligraphy is Lan Ting Xu (the prelude of the Orchid Pavillion). This was written in 353 AD, When the calligrapher and a group of 41 relatives and friends were on an outing at Lanting (original site in Zhejiang, China). The picnickers sat by the two sides of stream. Little cups of wine were then floated downstream. When a cup stopped in front of anyone, that person was required to compose a poem. Those who failed to do so were made to drink the wine as forfeit. At the end of the day, 26 of the picnickers had to compose a total of 35 poems. Much wine had also been consumed in the process. The good company and the strong wine put Wang Xizhi in such a happy mood that he took up his brush and, there and then, wrote the Lan Ting Xu as a prelude to the collection of poems. It is said that Wang Xizhi tried to reproduce the Prelude for nearly 100 times several days later, but he was never able to match his spontaneous calligraphy of that day. The original Lan Ting Xu, which is considered the greatest masterpiece of Chinese calligraphy in history, was subsequently acquired by Emperor Tai Zong of the Tang dynasty. He liked it so much that he ordered his court’s calligraphers to make copies of it. When he died, Wang Xizhi’s calligraphy was buried with him.
Biographical Details Wang Xizhi is known as the Sage of Caligraphy. He is remembered not only for revolutionizing the art of Chinese writing, but also for his complete devotion to this traditional Chinese art form. Born in 303 AD in the state of Eastern Jin, Wang Xishi started learning how to write when he was seven. His first teachers were his father’s elder brother and a well-known lady calligrapher, Madam Wei Shuo. Wang Xizhi began by mastering the zheng (regular) style calligraphy. Under his school of calligraphy, the Chinese ideograms were written in symmetrical blocks. As he grew older, the calligrapher began to develop his own style of writing. Wang Xizhi’s xing (walking) style of calligraphy breathed life and motion into the written words. As its name suggests, xing calligraphy is a more flowing style of writing, allowing the writer to express his feelings and his moods through the brush. Although the original Lan Ting Xu disappeared from the world in 650 AD, Wang Xizhi’s style of writing continued to be a dominant influence of Chinese calligraphy. Emperor Tai Zhong’s high regard for the prelude encouraged many calligraphers to imitate Wang Xizhi’s writing style.
The Translation of Lan Ting Prologue It is the 9th year of Yong He, in the beginning of late spring. We, all the literati old and young, are gathering at Lan Ting (Orchid Pavilion) on the northern slope of the Kuai Ji Hill. Amidst the gorgeous mountains and hills, dense woods and slender bamboos, the sparkling winding stream is flowing by. Seated in the midst of this scenery, short of the company of good music, we regale every single toast and poem that put us in the mood of a free and subtle dialogue. It is a fine day with lovely breezes. Behold the magnificent universe with abundance of myriad beings. Stretch your sights and relax your minds. It is the supreme bliss the eyes and ears can achieve. How enjoyable! While experiencing the ups and downs in our lives, we may be wakened by thoughts while meditating in a small chamber. Or, we may let go of ourselves in the open Nature. Choices are plenty, tranquility or activity as one prefers. I am contented with whatever happiness is brought forth, however short the moment is. I am satisfied, not knowing that I am aging nor where I am heading, I am tired. Things do change, only our feelings linger. What we used to be fond of will become the past instantaneously. We can’t help but to cheer ourselves by recollection. Life, long or short, always comes to an end. An old saying has it that: ’Life and death are the ultimate things.’ What a pain! Every time I read about the writings of people from the past, I always sense their feeling reflects my own. I can only lament but not know how to verbalize. Life and death may be merely an illusion. Yet it is ridiculous to equalize longevity with short-lived. The future generations will look upon us just like we do our past. So, I document the lives of the contemporaries and their works. Time has changed, yet the desire to express the feeling is the same. Those in the future shall get what I mean when they read this article. "
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