毛笔，是一种源于中国的传统书写工具，也逐渐成为传统绘画工具，被列为中国的文房四宝之一。1954年，从湖南长沙左家公山一座史前古墓里发掘出来了整套的书写工具。这证明，在上古时期就已经有所谓毛笔了。
The writing brush, a traditional tool that originated in China, has evolved beyond a simple writing instrument to become a key element of Chinese painting. It is considered one of the "Four Treasures of the Study" in Chinese culture. In 1954, a complete set of writing tools was discovered in a prehistoric tomb at Zuojiagong Mountain in Changsha, Hunan Province, evidencing the brush’s existence in ancient times.
历史上有秦代蒙恬造笔的传说。相传蒙恬用兔毫、竹管制笔，制笔方法是将笔杆一头镂空成毛腔，笔头毛塞在腔内，毛笔还外加保护性大竹套，竹套中部两侧镂空，以便于取笔。蒙氏造笔后统称为笔，因此毛笔中有其最为著名的一种毛笔，即“蒙笔”，又称“蒙恬精笔”、“侯笔”。
Legend has it that Meng Tian invented the brush during the Qin Dynasty. He is said to have crafted the brush using rabbit hair and bamboo. The process involved hollowing out one end of the bamboo to create a cavity, into which the hair was inserted. The brush was then protected by a bamboo cover, designed with hollowed-out sections for easier handling. These early brushes, referred to as "pens" in ancient times, eventually led to the creation of one of the most famous types—the "Meng Pen," also known as the "Meng Tian Fine Brush" or "Hou Pen".
毛笔作为中华文明的核心载体，参与了甲骨卜辞、竹简文书、纸质典籍的全程记录，使汉字从实用符号升华为艺术体系，更塑造了中国艺术独特的美学范式，这种从物质技艺到精神价值的完整传承链，使毛笔超越工具属性，成为中华文明活态传承的微观样本。
The brush, as a cornerstone of Chinese civilization, has been essential in recording key texts such as Oracle bone inscriptions, bamboo slips, and paper manuscripts. Over time, it helped transform Chinese characters from simple symbols into an artistic form, contributing to the unique aesthetic of Chinese art. This deep connection between craftsmanship and cultural values has elevated the brush beyond a tool, making it a living symbol of China’s enduring cultural legacy.
责编：易卓
