Chinese Characters History and Evolution

2012-08-04T21:04:00.000-07:00

As one of the oldest writing systems, the history of Chinese characters has spanned more than 4,000 years. As Chinese characters history and evolution grew over time, the characters changed from simple pictographs to the complicated characters we know today.

Technically, Chinese characters are a part of a logographic system. This label means that the writing is a series of symbols that each represents a phrase or word. Chinese character history is a unique focus for studies because it has formed a method of unification for the country. As one of the world’s largest countries, China represents many diverse dialects such as Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese Chinese. Out of all of these dialects, the only unifying feature is the writing system. By creating this system of writing, China has been able to unify an ethnically and linguistically diverse country.

The History of Chinese Characters

Most historians divide Chinese character history into four separate periods of time. These four time periods include Jia-gu wen, Da zhuan, Xiao zhuan and Lis shu.

An Example of Oracle Bones

Jia-gu wen, also known as the Oracle Bones, is the earliest recorded usage of Chinese characters in history. A long time ago, the scribes in China would etch records of transactions and government policies onto the backs of turtle shells. Jia-gu wen gets its name from the use of turtle shells in divining prophesies. These shells were burned and the way they cracked showed the future. Overall, the Oracle Bones period for Chinese characters lasted from 1500 to 1000 BCE.

After the Oracle Bones, Chinese characters history entered into the Da zhuan, or Greater Seal, phase. In addition to gradually evolving aesthetically, the characters were no longer written on turtle shells. During this time period, they were normally written on bronze vessels. This time period lasted from roughly 1100 to 700 BCE.

Fittingly, the third time period is known as the Lesser Seal (Xiao zhuan). After the end of the Greater Seal period, the Lesser Seal time period marked the beginning of elegant calligraphic Chinese script. From this beautiful, elaborate writing style, modern Chinese characters gradually arose. Many of the Xiao zhuan characters are found on silk writings, landscape paintings and bamboo scrolls.

The last time period is known as Lis shu. Called Clerkly Script in English, this character style is the most similar to today’s writing system. The flowing scrip of the Lesser Seal was modified to make if faster to write. This new writing style was easy to use with pens and papers which made it appealing to the general population.

The Story Behind Chinese Characters

Chinese Characters History and Evolution