Xinzheng refers to the integrity of the heart, and penzheng refers to the integrity of the font.
The original meaning of "the heart is upright and the pen is upright" means that if the mind is upright, the words written by the pen will also be upright. ?In addition to being famous for his calligraphy achievements, Liu Gongquan's "pen admonishment" of "a correct heart leads to a correct pen" has also been passed down by the world.
Emperor Mu Zong once asked Liu Gongquan how to write calligraphy well. Liu Gongquan replied: "Use the pen to your heart, and if your heart is upright, your pen will be correct." If your character is not high, you will not be able to write calligraphy well.
Because Mu Zong was idle in government affairs, Liu Gongquan used letters to describe politics. On the one hand, he explained his attitude toward calligraphy creation, and on the other hand, he also cleverly used the spirit of calligraphy art to give advice. From then on, the theory of "the heart is right and the pen is right" has been passed down to later generations and has become one of the ethical standards of calligraphy.
It is said that words are like people. In fact, calligraphy, literature, painting and other artistic works all reflect the author's character, cultivation and thoughts and feelings to a considerable extent.
It is precisely because of Liu Gongquan's perseverance and noble sentiments and character quality that his fresh and upright calligraphy style shines on the paper. Later generations not only valued his calligraphy skills, but also admired his character, and His calligraphy and personality are both immortal.
Extended information:
Liu Gongquan is the summarizer and innovator of regular script style. On the basis of studying and inheriting the regular script style of Zhong Yao, Wang Xizhi and others, he read all over modern calligraphy , learned from Yan Zhenqing, incorporated his own new ideas, and created his own unique "Liu style" regular script, which became a model for future generations and became one of the outstanding representatives of "Tang calligraphy".
His calligraphy is balanced, thin and hard, resolutely following the Wei stele, his stipples are crisp and straight, his bones are strong and his body is tight. "The more expensive the calligraphy is, the thinner and harder it is, the more it can communicate with the spirit." His regular script is slightly more even, thinner and harder than his Yan style, so it is known as "the muscles of the face and the bones of the willow".
Since the Yuanhe period of the Tang Dynasty, Liu Gongquan's reputation has become increasingly high. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty especially cherished Liu Gongquan's calligraphy. He once summoned Liu Gongquan to the front of the palace. Military envoy Ximen Jixuan held an inkstone, and privy envoy Cui Juyuan held a pen. Liu Gongquan used a real book to write on a piece of paper "Mrs. Wei passed down the brushwork to Wang Youjun" cross.
In cursive script, he wrote on a piece of paper the eleven words "Yongchan Temple's True Grass Thousand Character Wen De Family Method"; in cursive script he wrote on a piece of paper "The Predicate Helper Yanzai Huye" "character. Xuanzong rewarded him with brocades, bottles and plates and other silverware. He was also asked to write a letter of thanks by himself, whether in real or cursive script. ?
At that time, the families of public officials and ministers erected monuments for their ancestors. If they did not get the inscription written by Liu Gongquan himself, people would think it was an unfilial act. Moreover, Liu Gongquan's reputation spread far and wide overseas. When foreign barbarians paid tribute, they specially prepared money to purchase Liu Gongquan's calligraphy. Tang Wenzong once praised his calligraphy, which could not be surpassed by Zhong Yao and Wang Xizhi.
When people start learning calligraphy today, they still prefer calligraphers such as Yan, Liu, Ou, Chu, and Yu of the Tang Dynasty. In particular, the set of regular script norms established by Liu Gongquan is still a model for people to learn from today.
Liu Gongquan made outstanding contributions in the reform and development of calligraphy art. He summarized the development of calligraphy in the Tang Dynasty and laid the foundation for the development of regular script as a whole.
Baidu Encyclopedia - A straight heart means a straight pen