字源 3.3

The app "字源" is an exploration of the origin and evolution of Chinese characters, with an embedded dictionary function. It currently includes over twenty thousand Chinese characters and their meanings. The app features detailed explanations of over two thousand Chinese characters, including oracle bone script, bronze script, seal script, and Qin dynasty clerical script from various periods. It contains over nine thousand seal script characters and references to "Shuowen Jiezi" (Xiaoxu version), "Shuowen Jiezi Xizhuan" (Daxu version), and "Shuowen Jiezi Zhu." Additionally, it offers twenty character tables such as Hundred Family Surnames, Thousand Character Classic, elementary school grade 1-6 character list, astronomy, geography, among others for easy reference. It is highly suitable for elementary school students learning Chinese characters, calligraphy enthusiasts, as well as those interested in traditional Chinese culture and the origin of Chinese characters.

Chinese Character Origin

Chinese characters are the only ideographic script that has been passed down to this day among the world's major writing systems. They embody rich cultural connotations and aesthetic implications, representing the wisdom of the Chinese nation and serving as the cornerstone of Chinese civilization. However, Chinese characters are also considered one of the most challenging scripts to write due to their unique square-shaped characters that require continuous memorization and practice to develop writing skills. Chinese characters did not appear in their current form overnight; they have undergone a historical evolution spanning over five thousand years, gradually progressing to their present state. Therefore, it is almost impossible for us now to comprehend the original intentions behind their creation at a glance. By examining characters from various historical periods, we can glimpse the humanistic changes spanning five millennia.

Oracle Bone Script

The earliest discovered system of Chinese characters is the oracle bone script from the late Shang Dynasty period. Oracle bone script, also known as jiaguwen or inscriptions on oracle bones and tortoise shells, refers to the characters carved on turtle shells or animal bones mainly by the royal family of the late Shang Dynasty for divination purposes ("oracle bone" was not their primary writing material; they mainly used brushes and bamboo slips for writing. Writing on oracle bones was limited to divination practices). Discovered by the late Qing Dynasty epigraphist Wang Yirong in 1899, over a hundred years of archaeological excavations have uncovered more than 100,000 pieces of oracle bone inscriptions. Oracle bone scripts have been found in regions such as Henan and Shaanxi, dating from the late Shang period (around 1300 BCE) through the Spring and Autumn period. In 2006, archaeologists and philologists pointed out that pottery inscriptions might compete with oracle bone inscriptions as some of the earliest forms of writing in China and East Asia. It is estimated that around 5000 oracle bone characters have been excavated and cataloged so far, with approximately 1500 being recognizable.

Bronze Script

Bronze script, also known as inscriptions on bronze vessels or bells, refers to the characters cast or engraved on bronze objects. Beginning in the mid-Shang Dynasty period and flourishing during the Western Zhou Dynasty, bronze inscriptions primarily recorded activities related to contemporary society, especially those of royalties and nobles. The most representative example of bronze scripts is the Mo'gong ding inscription from King Xuan of Zhou (also known as Western Zhou bronze script) containing 32 lines with 500 characters. Bronze scripts continued to be widely used since the Western Zhou period without significant changes in purpose. Approximately 3722 characters are attested in bronze inscriptions, with about 2420 being identifiable. Due to the prevalence of bronze vessels during the Shang-Zhou era where vessels were represented by "ding" (designating ceremonial vessels) and musical instruments by "zhong" (representing bells), hence were associated with writing on bronze objects giving rise to the term bronze script or sometimes referred to as inscription on bells and cauldrons.

Seal Script

Seal script or small seal script is known as Qin seal script as part of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's policy for standardizing weights and measures, carriages’ tracks (widths), and written language nationwide during the Qin Empire era based on earlier Qin state's seal script components but was later revised replacing earlier versions initially used by six states in Eastern Zhou era thereby unifying writing format of large seal script style. Based on archaeological evidence available up until the middle-to-late Warring States period indicates prevalent usage of large seal script alongside clerical script—large seal employed mainly for classical books and inscriptions while clerical for bureaucratic regulations and daily correspondence within offices. As a result of standardizing various writing styles within large seal scripts concurrently existing at that time influenced by clerical style gradually entered into small seal scripts during early Han era onwards with its writing form tending towards being square-edged showing slight traces subtly mixing characteristics found in clerical style indicating mutual blending trend between clerical and seal styles that eventually led to clerical rising in vogue taking precedence passing small seal into posterity favored by successive generations' calligraphers for its aesthetic appeal.

Shuowen Jiezi

"Shuowen Jiezi," compiled by Xu Shen during the Eastern Han Dynasty, is China's earliest comprehensive analysis of Chinese character forms explaining character origins—recognized as one of the world's oldest dictionaries. The text was written between the twelfth year of Emperor Yongyuan's reign during Han dynasty (100 AD) until Emperor Jianguang's first year (121 AD). The text circulated until Tang dynasty having a substantial impact after being reviewed by calligrapher Li Yangbing (Li Bai's paternal uncle) leading to compiling "Shuowen Jiezi Xizhuan," renowned as Xiaoxu version by Southern Tang Xu Kai showing discontent over Li Yangbing altering original work criticizing it concerned mainly lexical content alterations highlighted “Source stories emerging from ear” instead copying original text anymore but was later reviewed during Emperor Taizong's cong reign third year (986 AD) revised consisting Xu Huan (elder brother of Xu Kai), Linzhong Zheng along with Ge Tuan collaborating altogether re-editing "Shuowen Jiezi" known universally today accepted as Daxu edition ie present commonly used version—later during Qing dynasty Duan Yuceng based annotations on Daxu version underpinning commentary forming “Shuowen Jiezi Zhu” edition from this underlying textual basis hence this app includes incorporating Daxu edition “Shuowen Jiezi,” Xiaoxu version “Shuowen Jiezi Xizhuan,” coupled with Duan Yuceng's “Shuowen Jiezi Zhu” edition facilitates convenient simultaneous reference lookup aiding users.

Functional Highlights

• Selects a daily character enriching understanding over time;
• Showcases evolution of character forms throughout historical periods unveiling millennia-long changes;
• Beautifully designed character evolution cards can be effortlessly shared on WeChat Moments;
• Provides insights into character origins revealing captivating stories behind each character;
• Features dictionary lookup supporting pronunciation guide along with animated stroke order demonstrations;
• Favorite characters can be bookmarked for quick access anytime;
• Regular updates on traditional cultural knowledge tracing back historical roots of cultural habits.

Community Engagement & Feedback

If you encounter any issues while using the app or wish to discuss topics related to oracle bone scripts or Chinese character origins, you can join Q group 976181237.

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