China first used ink in the late Shang Dynasty, the Western Han Dynasty, the Eastern Han Dynasty and the Southern and Northern Dynasties.

The earliest ink was not used for writing, but for drawing. In prehistoric social sites five or six thousand years ago, not only painted pottery painted with red, white, brown and black pigments was unearthed, but also many natural mineral pigment remains were found. These pigments are in the form of blocks, powders and blocks. When painting, it is more convenient to grind it into pigment paste. In addition to natural mineral pigments, plant charcoal can also be used as black ink pigments. 1982 The ground painting of the big house found in the prehistoric site of Dadiwan, Gansu Province may have been painted with charcoal ink as a pigment.

The real thing of Shang and Zhou ink has not been found so far. However, the Book of Rites and other records show that carpenters have used ink to correct the straightness of wood. In addition, there was ink punishment at that time, that is, stabbing the face with a knife and then painting it with ink. "Zuo Zhuan" also recorded: "Zheng's beauty is white and black, and those who don't know think it is immortal." But these are not artificial inks, but natural mineral raw materials. When in use, the ink or pigment should be ground into powder with a millstone and mixed with water, which is called "licking the pen and dipping it in ink" in Zhuangzi. From the archaeological findings, it is not uncommon to write Wen Tao, jade and tortoise shells in bamboo or ink calligraphy. There are also many silk paintings, calligraphy, lacquer paintings, murals and so on. , also painted in ink or colored ink.