As the Spring Festival approaches, the festive spirit grows ever stronger. Recently, Nanjing Zijin Hospital, in collaboration with the Nanjing Hospital Association, the Aide Foundation’s Public‑Welfare Calligraphy and Painting Institute, and the Bank of Communications, jointly launched the “Welcoming the New Year, Gifting Blessings in Ink” public‑service event, which has been warmly inaugurated at both the Jiangning and Qinhuai campuses. Within the flowing strokes of brush and ink lies the rich heritage of traditional culture; between the lines, one can feel the heartfelt warmth of unity between doctors and patients—offering a sincere and auspicious New Year gift to medical staff steadfastly holding their posts, as well as to patients and their families who are tirelessly seeking care.

Brush and ink converge in blessings; the Jiangning campus is filled with the fragrant aroma of calligraphy.

On the morning of Monday, February 9, warm sunlight streamed through the glass windows into the outpatient lobby of the Jiangning Branch of Nanjing Zijin Hospital, where a culturally rich event brimming with the scent of ink was already in full swing. On the tables, bright red Xuan paper lay neatly spread out, while ink in the inkstones had been ground to just the right consistency—neither too thin nor too thick. Calligraphers from the Aide Foundation’s Public‑Welfare Calligraphy and Painting Institute, specially invited by the Nanjing Hospital Association, arrived as scheduled, and at 10:30 a.m., the event officially got underway.

As the calligraphers lifted their brushes and dipped them into the ink, the first stroke fell upon the red Xuan paper, filling the hall with the rich aroma of ink. Some calligraphers, composed and focused, let their brushes dance like dragons and serpents, their running‑cursive script free and flowing, executed in one seamless sweep; others laid down each stroke with steady, powerful precision, their regular script both dignified and well‑ordered, every character a gem that reveals their profound skill. Still others devoted themselves to clerical script, their inkwork simple yet weighty, imbued with an enduring charm. One after another, auspicious Spring Festival couplets—some echoing the spirit of the New Year, others infused with the distinctive character of the medical profession—expressed not only hopes for a bright new year but also deep respect for healthcare workers and heartfelt blessings for patients.

In addition to Spring Festival couplets, calligraphers also created “Fu” characters and auspicious square scrolls on the spot. Each “Fu” character was full and round—some were vigorous and imposing, as solid and majestic as Mount Tai pressing down; others were lively and graceful, flowing like auspicious clouds with an elegant charm; and still others cleverly incorporated elements of the Year of the Horse, showcasing ingenious design and meticulous artistry. Medical staff and patients’ family members came in droves to collect their gifts, holding the freshly inked masterpieces in their hands, their faces beaming with joy.

In the span of just one hour, dozens of Spring Festival couplets and two hundred “Fu” characters—symbols of good fortune—were handed out one by one. The mingling scents of ink and smiles infused the outpatient lobby with a rich festive atmosphere and heartfelt warmth.

Doctors and Patients Celebrate the New Year Together: Heartwarming Interactions at the Qinhuai Campus

At 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 10, the spirit of warmth continued to spread. The Bank of Communications invited a calligrapher to visit the third-floor conference room of the Qinhuai Branch of Nanjing Zijin Hospital, which had already been warmly and invitingly decorated.

In addition to medical staff, family members pushing patients in wheelchairs also made a special trip to the event. Some sat quietly nearby, watching the calligraphers at work, while others stepped forward and gently shared their own needs. The calligraphers responded one by one, patiently inquiring about everyone’s preferences and creating spontaneous pieces tailored to individual tastes.

Behold: the calligrapher, composed and focused, wields the brush with effortless grace. With each lift, press, pause, and stroke, one vibrant “Fu” character after another comes to life on the paper, and auspicious spring couplets take shape in an instant. In the fluid dance of the brush, it is not merely masterful artistry but also the heartfelt blessings poured into every stroke and ink.

Even more enthusiastic participants leaned over the tables, some seeking guidance on brushwork, others eagerly picking up their brushes to try their hand at calligraphy. On the red paper, whether it was a naive yet sincere imitation or a creatively personalized “Fu” character brimming with individual flair, each stroke became a vessel for conveying emotion.

“With brush and ink, we express the benevolence of the virtuous; with color and line, we capture the heart of the healer.” This “Welcoming the New Year—Blessings in Calligraphy” public‑service event not only allowed participants to savor the unique charm of China’s fine traditional culture amid the fragrant aroma of ink and paper, but also brought heartfelt humanistic care to medical staff, patients, and their families during the depths of winter. Each vibrant red Spring Festival couplet and every auspicious “Fu” character is more than a New Year blessing—it serves as a bond of affection between doctors and patients.

Although the event has concluded, the fragrance of ink lingers, and the warmth endures. Nanjing Zijin Hospital will continue to uphold its guiding principle—“Excellence in Dedication, Compassion for the Long Term”—while deepening its commitment to high-quality medical care, enriching the hospital’s cultural ethos, and extending humanistic care through more diverse and thoughtful approaches, striving to create a warm, harmonious, and compassionate healthcare environment.