The Evolution of Chinese Writing Style: Visual Tour

Produced by Staff, Taiwan.com.au Portal

Oracle-Bone Inscriptions of the Shang Dynasty (1766-1122 B.C.)

Oracle-Bone Inscription, Shang Dynasty, incised on the plastron of tortoise shell.	Oracle-Bone Inscription on bones of beast.

Writing on Bells and Containers (Metal Writing, Old Writing)

(left) Inscription of the early Shang Dynasty. (middle) Inscription of the Hsiao-chen-chu Tsun (wine vessel). (right) Rubbing from the Mao-kun Ting (cauldron made by Duke of Mao).

Big Seal Script (Chun Writing, Stone and Drum Writing)

of the Chou Dynasty (1122-221 B.C.)

Stone and Drum Writing (Chun Writing engraved on stones that shaped like drums), early period of the Warring States.

Small Seal Script (Writing of Lee, Chin Writing)

of the Chin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.)

Rubbing from Mt. Tai, Chin Dynasty.

Li Writing of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-221A.D.)

I-ying Stone Tablet, Han Dynasty.	Tsao Chuan Stone Tablet, Han Dynasty.

Block Writing (Kai Shu, or Text Characters)

of the Wei (221-265 A.D.) and Jin (265-420 A.D.) Dynasties

Yen Cheng-ching, rubbing from the To-Pao Pagoda, Tang Dynasty.

Running Characters (Hsing Shu)

of the Five Dynasties period (907-959 A.D.)

Wang Hsi-chih, Offering Oranges, Eastern Jin Dynasty.

Free Writing (Tsao Shu)

of the Wei (221-265 A.D.) and Jin (265-420 A.D.) Dynasties

Wang Hsi-chih, Seventeen, Eastern Jin Dynasty.	Wang Hsien-chih, Mid Autumn, Eastern Jin Dynasty.

Chang Hsu, Bellyache, Tang Dynasty.	Huai Su, Preface, Tang Dynasty.

Standard Free Writing

Yu Yo-ren, standard free writing.