There are no hard and fast rules for the length and width of couplets. Generally, there are several lengths, 1 meter, 1.2 meters, 1.6 meters, 1.8 meters, 2.2 meters, and the width is about 17 cm to 20 cm, depending on the actual situation. Certainly.
Generally, there are 7 characters in the upper and lower couplets, and 4 characters in the horizontal line. The width of the horizontal couplet should generally be the same as that of the main couplet, and the length should be four characters plus a margin. If it is posted on both sides of the door, two-thirds of the height of the door is appropriate. If it is used as a calligraphy hanging display, it depends on the display space.
Couplet requirements
The length of the couplet text varies, the short one is only one or two words; the long one can reach hundreds of words. There are various forms of couplets, including positive pairs, opposing pairs, running-water pairs, joint-ball pairs, and collection-sentence pairs. But no matter what type of couplets and what form they are used, they must have the following characteristics:
1. The number of words must be equal and the sentences must be consistent. Unless the position of a certain word is intentionally left vacant to achieve a certain effect, the number of words in the upper and lower couplets must be the same, no more and no less.
2. The levels should be consistent and the tones should be harmonious. The traditional custom is "廄 rises and flat falls", that is, the last word of the first line is in the square tone, and the last word of the second line is in the flat tone.
3. The parts of speech should be relative and the positions should be the same. It is generally called "Void to Void, Real to Real", that is, noun to noun, verb to verb, adjective to adjective, quantifier to quantifier, adverb to adverb, and relative words must be in the same position.
4. The content should be relevant and connected from top to bottom. The meanings of the upper and lower lines must be connected to each other, but they cannot be repeated.
In addition, the traditional practice of hanging couplets must be written vertically, from right to left, from top to bottom, and cannot be reversed.
Hengpi, which is closely related to the couplet, can be said to be the title and the center of the couplet. Good horizontal batches can play a finishing touch and complement each other in the couplets.