The earliest extant Chinese characters are oracle bone inscriptions from the Yin and Shang Dynasties around 1300 BC. The strokes in oracle bone inscriptions, bronze inscriptions, and seal scripts were successively graceful. By the time the strokes in official script became horizontal and vertical, they became pure square characters for ease of use. Writing has become the dividing line between ancient and modern Chinese characters.
Chinese characters have a history of more than 6,000 years, and are the longest-lasting script in the world without any gaps. Chinese characters are the only characters that have been passed down to this day and are the only remaining fruits of the pictographic ideographic characters created by the ancients.
The total number of Chinese characters that have appeared in history is more than 80,000 (some say there are more than 60,000), most of which are variant characters and rare characters. There is no precise figure for the number of Chinese characters. There are only a few thousand Chinese characters in daily use.
Extended information
The meaning of Chinese characters:
1. The amount of information of Chinese characters is unparalleled with certain uncertainties and controversies. In terms of the integration and cohesion of the Chinese nation, in terms of maintaining the dignity and identity of the Chinese nation, in terms of being long-standing, consistent and full of opportunities to get out of difficulties, Chinese characters have made great contributions.
2. Comparing the history of colonial rule by foreign powers between China and other countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, we can see the power of Chinese culture. Comparing the fate of the socialist Soviet Union and socialist China, we can also see the strong vitality of Chinese culture, especially Chinese character culture.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Chinese Characters