汉字--从甲骨文到计算机(3)

Unit 3. Evolution of Chinese Characters

Appearance of Early Chinese Characters

The oldest known Chinese characters were found on this 3,000-year-old oracle bone inscription. The strokes are generally thin, like children’s sketches, and the size varies.

Oracle bone inscription in the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century -771 B.C). The letters are so small that they can be read only under a magnifying glass.

Another primitive Chinese script contemporary with the oracle bones was Jinwen (inscribed script). These characters were generally inscribed on bronze ware, with thicker strokes and more regular sizes. This is a rubbing of the Inscription on Dayu Ding (tripod).

Oracle bone script of the Shang Dynasty (replica)

Oracle bone script of the Western Zhou Dynasty (replica)

Western Zhou oracle bone script (11th century -- 771 B.C.), readable only through a magnifying glass.

Shiqiang Plate, a bronze ware of the Western Zhou Dynasty (replica)

Archaic Codes: Script of the Warring States Period.

During the Warring States Period (475—221 B.C.), China was divided into seven fiefdoms. They differed from each other in all aspects, from politics to language. The Warring States script is very difficult to decipher.

Bamboo-shaped brass pass, owned by E’junqi of the Chu State.

Brass wine vessel inlaid with gold, from the Jin State.

Currency with Zhao characters.

Currency with Wei characters.

Currency with Han characters.

Stone drum inscribed with Dazhuan (big seal) letters from the Qin State.

Warring States currencies inscribed with various scripts.

Towards One Chinese Characters

After unifying China in 221 B.C., Emperor Qin ushered in many reforms, including the standardization of language. A uniform Chinese language facilitated the integration of Chinese cultures, catalyzed China’s economic and cultural exchanges, and enhanced social productivity. (Portrait of Emperor Qin.)

Qin’s Prime Minister Li Si simplified the original Dazhuan (big seal) script of Qin and invented a standard system of writing for the whole China -- Xiaozhuan (small seal). With standardized shape, strokes and structure, this script established the basic formation for all Chinese characters created since. Li Si’s Stone Inscription on the Yi Mountain.

LI Si’s Stone Inscription on the Tai Mountain. (rubbings)

A decree to standardize measures, written in small seal script, Qin Dynasty.

Bronze scale inscribed with small seal script, Qin Dynasty

Tiger-shaped tally inscribed with small seal script, Qin Dynasty

Brick with 12 small seal letters, Qin Dynasty (replica)

Lishu (Clerical Script): Revolution of Convenience

Clerical script, a kind of handwriting much faster and easier than the small seal, was first used among the common people, and later seen in official documents. After being standardized by Cheng Miao and other officials, it was decreed by Emperor Qin to be the vernacular written characters of the nation. This is a set of bamboo slips written in Qin clerical script, from Yunmeng, Hubei.

In the Han dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.), clerical script developed greatly. Simpler and more regular in shape, it established the basic structure of most Chinese characters. Clerical script stands as the dividing point between archaic and modern Chinese script. Bamboo slips written in Qin clerical script, from Yunmeng, Hubei. (replica)

Kaishu (Standard Script): Model Writings

At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-200), a new form of handwriting, standard script, came into being. The initiator of standard characters was Zhong Yao.

Straight in line, square in shape, and very easy to write, this kind of characters is regarded as standard characters, as it can be used as a model for other forms of writing. It remains the standard written characters of Chinese today. Zhong Yao’s Xuanshi Proclamation.

Liu Gongquan’s Xuanmi Pagoda Inscription.

Ouyang Xun’s Jiuchenggong Liquan Inscription. (Copybook)

Caoshu (Cursive) and Xingshu (Semi-cursive): Writings on the Run.

Caoshu and Xingshu scripts were two easy-to-write forms invented for greater efficiency.

Caoshu script has three categories: Zhangcao, Jincao and Kuangcao. Wood slips written in Zhangcao script.

Jincao (modern cursive script) was initiated by Zhang Zhi. His calligraphy is also called ―one-stroke writing‖ for its fast movement and continuity.

Kuangcao (―crazy cursive script‖) was invented by Zhang Xu. As the characters are written too speedily to be recognizable, this kind of writing is valued mostly for aesthetic reasons. A Qing portrait of Zhang Xu at his writing.

Xingshu (semi-cursive, or ―running script‖) came into vogue during the Wei and Jin Periods (220-420). It combined practical use with aesthetic value. Portrait of Wang Xizhi, the great Jin calligrapher, famed for his semi-cursive writing.

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