“Ode to the Plum Blossom” — Hard-Pen Calligraphy by Chen Xiquan, Age 9

Description :

This hard-pen calligraphy piece by Chen Xiquan, a 9-year-old calligraphy student from Beijing, transcribes the timeless poem “Bu Suan Zi – Ode to the Plum Blossom” by Mao Zedong. The regular script captures the resilience and elegance of the plum blossom through neat, disciplined strokes and a well-composed layout.

Beside the broken bridge and by the path,
Alone it blooms, defying cold and snow.
From a distance, it seems not snow,
Only a faint fragrance drifting to and fro.
(Translation excerpt)

Poem Title:
《卜算子·咏梅》 (Bu Suan Zi – Ode to the Plum Blossom)
By Mao Zedong

Calligraphy Style:
Hard-Pen

Dimensions:
21 × 29.7 cm
(8 1/4 × 11 7/10 in)

About the Artist:

• Chen Xiquan, Male, Age 9

• Member, Children’s Division of the China Hard-Pen Calligraphy Association

• Student at Jingya Moyuan Calligraphy Studio, Beijing

Notable Achievements:

• 1st Prize (Preliminary) – “Greater Bay Area Cup” Children’s Calligraphy Competition, Standard Characters, Lower Group

• Silver Prize (Finals) – Greater Bay Area Cup, Standard Characters, Lower Group

• 1st Prize – Greater Bay Area Cup AI Calligraphy Contest, Standard Characters, Group B

• 2nd Prize – Greater Bay Area Cup AI Calligraphy Contest, Brush Calligraphy, Group B

• Silver Prize (On-site Finals) – Standard Characters and Brush Calligraphy, Group B