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le: Using "Ma" and "Ba" to Describe Chinese Characters In traditional Chinese calligraphy and brush writing, there are certain characters that are written using the "Ma" and "Ba" techniques. These techniques involve adding additional strokes to a character in a horse-like or eight-like shape. The "Ma" technique involves adding a diagonal stroke to the left side of the character to create the appearance of a horse's leg. For example, the character for "person" is written as "人" in standard Chinese script, but using the "Ma" technique, it becomes "亻," with the diagonal stroke resembling a horse's leg. On the other hand, the "Ba" technique involves adding horizontal or vertical strokes to the character to create the appearance of the number eight. For example, the character for "water" is written as "水" in standard script, but using the "Ba" technique, it becomes "氵," with the three horizontal strokes resembling the number eight. These techniques not only add an aesthetically pleasing aspect to the characters but also serve as a way to distinguish between different characters that may appear similar in standard script. In addition, using the "Ma" and "Ba" techniques also requires a great deal of skill and precision in brush control, making them highly valued techniques in traditional Chinese calligraphy. Overall, the use of the "Ma" and "Ba" techniques in writing Chinese characters adds depth and complexity to the art of calligraphy. The precision and attention to detail required for these techniques make them highly sought after and appreciated by artists and enthusiasts alike.