Learn to Write Chinese Calligraphy for Lunar New Year!

The Lunar New Year is just around the corner! Have you ever wanted to learn how to write a Chinese character? The Chinese language is fascinating—each character represents a word, and writing them feels a lot like painting or drawing.
In this blog post, I’ll show you how to write the Chinese character 福 (pronounced "foo"), which means good luck, blessing, fortune, and prosperity. This character is a popular symbol during Lunar New Year and is often displayed to invite good fortune for the year ahead.
Tools you'll need for writing 福 in Chinese calligraphy:
To write Chinese calligraphy, you'll typically need traditional tools, but here's a modern and beginner-friendly approach:
- Pentel Brush Sign Pen - While it's not a traditional brush pen, this tool makes Chinese calligraphy approachable and easy. The black pen is classic, but it also comes in beautiful colors for practice
- Printed Worksheet- Download my Chinese Calligraphy Worksheet. I recommend printing it on HP 32lb paper for best results, as it holds ink well and provides a smooth writing surface.

How to use the worksheet
Follow these simple steps to get started:
-
Understand the Stroke Order
- The worksheet includes numbered strokes, so you can follow along step by step. Stroke order is essential in Chinese calligraphy to maintain the character's structure and balance.
-
Practice with the Brush Pen
- Use the flexible brush pen to mimic traditional brush strokes.
- Apply light pressure for thin strokes and more pressure for thicker strokes.
-
Start with Shading
- If you’re new to calligraphy, try shading in the strokes first. Once you’re comfortable, practice writing the strokes in one fluid motion.
-
Practice Makes Progress
- Calligraphy takes time and patience, so don’t worry if it’s not perfect. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel!

Why Write 福 for Lunar New Year?
The character 福 is a meaningful way to celebrate Lunar New Year. It symbolizes good fortune, blessings, and prosperity—everything we wish for ourselves and our loved ones during this special time. Displaying this character in your home or gifting it to others adds a personal and heartfelt touch to the festivities.
Tips for Success
- Don’t rush the strokes—calligraphy is meditative and meant to be done slowly.
- Focus on enjoying the process, not just the result.
- Share your progress! I’d love to see your work—tag me on Instagram @writtenwordcalligraphy or let me know in the comments!
Enjoy! Let me know what you think about our Chinese Calligraphy worksheet too and if you'd like to learn more things like these!
Disclaimer: I’m not an expert in Chinese calligraphy, but I’ve loved practicing it since I was a child. My goal is to share the joy of this beautiful art form with you. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—thank you for supporting my work!