I was recently helping a friend identify a porcelain.   In the process, I ended up doing some basic calligraphy.   He suggested to me that it might be good if the info I provided was added to my site since it involves basic Chinese marks commonly seen on modern pieces currently being produced in China.

Though it doesn't apply to early Chinese porcelain, it does give a very basic idea to how the marks evolved.  So, on his suggestion, if you would like a very brief and simple introduction to Chinese calligraphy, click on the link below.

If you  Click here   I will show you  how to write Zhongguo (below), also known as Zhong Guo. I'll explain how these characters originated. There's much misinformation on the net as to how Zhongguo means China. You'll also see how the word 'China' in no way relates phonetically to the characters written, nor to the succeeding dynasty known as Qing, (pronounced Ch'ing).

Zhong	Guo

Regarding translation of Chinese to English, you may enjoy the following:

Meet Pinyin Man

Regarding the Calligraphy connection to Seal Marks, you may enjoy this:

Seal Marks & Experts - Inconsistancies in both.

And, last but not least, for those who are curious to what the Ming Emperor's reign name means, and how to properly write it, get out your ink set and click the below link.

Calligraphy Examples