[[Index]] ## Introduction Chinese characters, or **汉字** (hànzì), are the world’s oldest continually used writing system, with origins tracing back over 3,000 years to the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE). Unlike alphabets that rely on phonetic representation, Chinese characters are **logographic**—each character represents a word, a part of a word, or an idea. This unique structure is not only a medium for communication but also a reflection of Chinese culture, history, and philosophy. ### A Brief Historical Overview The earliest forms of Chinese writing, known as **oracle bone script** (甲骨文, jiǎgǔwén), were etched into animal bones or turtle shells and used for divination. Over time, these evolved into **bronze script** (金文, jīnwén), found on ceremonial vessels, and eventually into the **seal script** (篆书, zhuànshū), used during the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BCE). As society progressed, the scripts became increasingly standardized, with the **clerical script** (隶书, lìshū) and **regular script** (楷书, kǎishū) laying the foundation for modern Chinese writing. This progression showcases not only the practicality of the writing system but also the aesthetic value, as each stage reflected the artistic tendencies of its era. --- ### Character Classification > [!summary] 六书 > Chinese characters are traditionally categorized into six types, or **六书** (liù shū), which provide insight into how characters are formed and function: 1. **Pictograms (象形, xiàngxíng)** These are visual representations of objects. For example: - **山** (shān): "mountain," resembles peaks. - **木** (mù): "tree," depicts a trunk and branches. > Pictograms are the foundation of the system, showcasing the connection between language and the natural world. 2. **Ideograms (指事, zhǐshì)** These express abstract ideas or concepts through simple symbols: - **上** (shàng): "up," with a line above a horizontal stroke. - **下** (xià): "down," with a line below a horizontal stroke. > Ideograms illustrate the early human effort to represent intangible ideas visually. 3. **Compound Ideograms (会意, huìyì)** These merge two or more elements to convey a combined meaning. Examples: - **明** (míng): "bright," from **日** (sun) and **月** (moon). - **休** (xiū): "rest," from **人** (person) leaning against **木** (tree). > This category reflects how concepts were built through association. 4. **Phono-semantic Compounds (形声, xíngshēng)** The most common category, these characters combine a **semantic element** (meaning) with a **phonetic element** (sound). Examples: - **河** (hé): "river," with **氵** (water) indicating meaning and **可** suggesting sound. - **情** (qíng): "emotion," with **忄** (heart) for meaning and **青** for sound. > Approximately 80% of Chinese characters fall into this category, showcasing the balance between sound and meaning. 5. **Rebus or Phonetic Borrowings (假借, jiǎjiè)** These borrow a character for its sound, regardless of its original meaning. For instance: - **来** (lái): Originally meant "wheat" but came to mean "come" due to phonetic similarity. > This category highlights the evolving, adaptable nature of the writing system. 6. **Derivative Cognates (转注, zhuǎnzhù)** Characters in this category share related meanings or sounds, often evolving from the same root. Example: - **考** (kǎo, "to test") and **老** (lǎo, "old") share phonetic and semantic similarities. --- ### Forms of Characters > [!summary] 繁体字 vs 简体字 > Chinese characters exist in two major forms: 1. **Traditional Characters** (繁体字, fántǐzì): Used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, traditional characters preserve the intricate strokes of ancient writing. They are considered aesthetically rich and maintain cultural heritage. - Example: **愛** (ài, "love"). 2. **Simplified Characters** (简体字, jiǎntǐzì): Developed in mainland China in the 1950s and 60s to improve literacy, these characters have reduced strokes for easier learning and faster writing. Simplified characters are also used in Singapore and Malaysia. - Example: **爱** (ài, "love"). > While simplified characters are more practical, traditional characters are often preferred for artistic purposes, such as calligraphy. --- ### Etymology in Action Understanding character etymology offers insight into the values and worldview of ancient China. For instance: - **孝** (xiào, "filial piety"): Combines **老** (lǎo, "old") above **子** (zǐ, "child"), symbolizing respect for the elderly. - **安** (ān, "peace"): Combines **宀** (mián, "roof") with **女** (nǚ, "woman"), reflecting the traditional view that peace lies in a harmonious home. --- ### Why This Matters By studying the etymology and classification of Chinese characters, learners not only enhance their linguistic understanding but also connect with the culture and philosophy embedded within the language. This deeper knowledge fosters an appreciation for how the written word evolves alongside the society it serves. --- > [!quote] The Chosen Form > This website **uses** Simplified Chinese characters for consistency. In the character evolution section, after the Clerical Script, the Traditional form is skipped because it closely resembles the Clerical Script, making it a **logical continuation** in the evolution of the characters.