• Chinese Characters (English Edition): Origins, Evolution & Calligraphy – Cultural China Series
  • Chinese Characters (English Edition): Origins, Evolution & Calligraphy – Cultural China Series
  • Chinese Characters (English Edition): Origins, Evolution & Calligraphy – Cultural China Series
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Chinese Characters (English Edition): Origins, Evolution & Calligraphy – Cultural China Series

Chinese Characters (English Edition): Origins, Evolution & Calligraphy – Cultural China Series

From Pictographs and Legends to the “Six Categories,” Square Forms and the Art of Calligraphy & Seal Carving — A Picture-Rich Introduction to How Chinese Characters Came to Be
This book explains how Chinese characters came to be and why they look the way they do. It starts with how writing emerged and the old legends about the origin of characters, then shows how characters grew from pictures into the square forms we recognize today. It walks through the “Six Categories,” the traditional way of understanding how characters are built, and explains why they became square-shaped. Along the way, it shows what characters reveal about life and society in ancient China, and ends with the artistic side—calligraphy and seal carving, where writing becomes something you can look at and enjoy. Written for general readers and illustrated throughout, it gives you the story of Chinese characters without assuming any background in linguistics. If you want to understand where Chinese characters come from, how they work, and why they are considered beautiful—rather than study an academic linguistics textbook or learn how to write calligraphy yourself—this is it.
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Detail

Unlock the Secrets of One of the World’s Oldest Living Writing Systems

The existence of Chinese characters is a miracle in the history of human civilization, and today this ancient script continues to thrive -11. Chinese Characters offers a clear and engaging introduction to this rich cultural heritage, making it the perfect gateway for anyone curious about China—from language enthusiasts and history buffs to travelers and art lovers.

What’s Inside This Book:

  • A Comprehensive Overview: Explore the entire story of Hanzi, from the legendary origins of writing and early pictographic drawings to the development of modern characters -5-11.

  • Deep Cultural Insights: Go beyond simple definitions. Learn how ancient characters reveal details about social life, religious beliefs, and the evolution of Chinese civilization itself -5-11.

  • The Art of Calligraphy: Discover the visual splendor of Chinese characters through dedicated chapters on calligraphic art, commercial designs, and seal carving -5-11.

Key Features:

  • The Cultural China Series: Part of the esteemed 30-volume series designed to showcase Chinese culture to the world, widely recognized and even included in the Cambridge Library collection -1.

  • Authoritative Author: Written by Han Jiantang, a seasoned educator with decades of experience teaching Chinese language and culture at Tianjin Normal University and abroad -5-9-11.

  • Easy to Understand: Written entirely in English, with a focus on beautiful illustrations and accessible storytelling for a global audience

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