Cultura

Spiritual Reflection in Song Dynasty Calligraphy: A Zen Aesthetic Analysis

VOLUME 22, 2025

The Role of Targeted Infra-popliteal Endovascular Angioplasty to Treat Diabetic Foot Ulcers Using the Angiosome Model: A Systematic Review

VOLUME 6, 2023

Tongliang Ma
PhD student, Department of Fine Arts, International College, Krirk University, Bankok, 10220, Thailand

Abstract

Zen Buddhist aesthetics provide a framework for understanding Song Dynasty calligraphy, where principles such as spontaneity, impermanence, non-duality, emptiness, and effortless action are reflected in brushwork, composition, and artistic execution. Calligraphy was not merely an artistic form but a meditative and philosophical discipline, embodying Zen ideals of spontaneous movement and intuitive awareness. Each stroke embodied the artist’s present state of awareness, transforming calligraphy into a spiritual exercise rooted in Zen thought. This study examines how Zen philosophy shaped artistic execution and creative intent in Song Dynasty calligraphy, exploring the balance between control and spontaneity. A key objective is to compare Zen and Western artistic traditions, analyzing how Zen aesthetics challenge conventional notions of intentionality, authorship, and artistic mastery. The study also investigates how negative space (Śūnyatā) functions as an active compositional force and how logical modeling can explain the paradox of artistic spontaneity and control. A historical-philosophical and aesthetic approach integrates textual analysis of Zen and calligraphic treatises, semiotic interpretation of brushstrokes, and logical modeling to examine artistic intentionality. Computational tools such as Python (Matplotlib) are used for visual analysis, merging traditional aesthetic inquiry with contemporary data visualization methodologies. The study finds that Song calligraphy embodies Zen’s non-dualistic approach, where artistic mastery arises through mindful creation rather than rigid control. Negative space plays an active role in composition, and logical models demonstrate how Zen calligraphy dissolves dualistic constraints. This research offers a unique integration of Zen aesthetics, comparative philosophy, and computational modeling, advancing discussions on artistic intentionality, spontaneity, and meditative creativity in both historical and contemporary artistic contexts.

Keywords : Zen Aesthetics, Song Dynasty Calligraphy, Spontaneity, Artistic Intentionality, Mindfulness.
Erin Saricilar
Lecture in accounting. University of Basrah, College of Administration and Economics, Department of Accounting.

Abstract

Atherosclerotic disease significantly impacts patients with type 2 diabetes, who often present with recalcitrant peripheral ulcers. The angiosome model of the foot presents an opportunity to perform direct angiosome-targeted endovascular interventions to maximise both wound healing and limb salvage. A systematic review was performed, with 17 studies included in the final review. Below-the-knee endovascular interventions present significant technical challenges, with technical success depending on the length of lesion being treated and the number of angiosomes that require treatment. Wound healing was significantly improved with direct angiosome-targeted angioplasty, as was limb salvage, with a significant increase in survival without major amputation. Indirect angioplasty, where the intervention is applied to collateral vessels to the angiosomes, yielded similar results to direct angiosome-targeted angioplasty. Applying the angiosome model of the foot in direct angiosome-targeted angioplasty improves outcomes for patients with recalcitrant diabetic foot ulcers in terms of primary wound healing, mean time for complete wound healing and major amputation-free survival.
Keywords : Diabetic foot ulcer, angiosome, angioplasty