What does fish mean in calligraphy?

Calligraphy is one of the treasures of China traditional culture. As a common image, fish often appears in calligraphy works. In China culture, fish has the meaning of auspiciousness, prosperity and wealth. In calligraphy, fish have different shapes and characteristics. Some fish are graceful and light, some fish are tall and strong, and some fish are compact and heavy, all of which can show the painter's unique calligraphy style and skills.

Carp is a fish image that often appears in calligraphy. Carp swims smoothly and stretches, with beautiful posture and solid structure, which means enterprising and brave. There is also a common grass carp, which is often depicted as an accumulated, calm and obese image in calligraphy works, implying wealth and good luck. Others, such as mandarin fish, salmon and perch, can be the protagonists in calligraphy works, and different fish show different meanings and artistic characteristics.

With the passage of time and the continuous upgrading of people's aesthetics, the images of fish in calligraphy are becoming more and more diverse. In modern calligraphy, traditional images such as carp and grass carp are still common, but artists pay more attention to exploring various new images and styles, such as modern fish images with simple lines and strong fluency, or fictional fish images with rich brushwork and imagination, which are innovative manifestations in modern calligraphy.