The characteristics of official script include:
1. The characters are flat and square, spread out on the left and right.
Instead of the normal tendency of seal characters to adopt a vertical posture, Li characters adopt a horizontal (left and right) posture, resulting in a flat and square shape. The strokes shrink the vertical posture and strengthen the horizontal expansion.
2. Start the silkworm head and close the swallowtail.
This is a typical feature of the writing style used in official script, especially the horizontal and vertical strokes that are the main strokes in official script. The so-called "writing silkworm head" means that in the process of using the pen to hide the (reverse) edge of the pen, the outline of the strokes formed during the starting process is written into a shape similar to that of a silkworm's head. "Closing the pen swallowtail" means pressing the pen at the pen closing position and then lifting the pen diagonally to the upper right to strike.
3. Turn circles into squares and arcs into straight lines.
These are the two basic ways to simplify seal script in official script. The straight drawings or square folds in the official brush all contain the arc of the seal characters, so the straightness of the official brush often has obvious fluctuations and is full of vitality. In fact, the meaning of official script is based on the movement of strokes.
4. Change drawings into points and connections into breaks.
The dots in official scripts have become independent and no longer attached to the painting, and the dot methods are becoming increasingly rich, including flat dots, vertical dots, left and right dots, three connected dots (by the water), four connected dots ( by the fire) and so on.
In addition, the official script also breaks up the many circling and continuous strokes in the seal characters, which opens the door to the convenience of writing. Later, the regular script further developed this method, allowing the pen and the pen to move freely. There are traces of connection between them, and even the connection between writing and meaning is broken.
5. Strengthen the pressure lifting and change the thickness.
When writing seal script, the vertical stroke of the pen is required to leave no trace, while the official script intentionally emphasizes the stroke movement, resulting in significant changes in thickness and inheritance of the strokes, as well as the three strokes of starting, extending, and closing the pen. The process is clearly reflected.
Extended information
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1. "Cao Quan Stele"
The full name is "Han Heyang Order Cao Quan Stele" , is an important stele in the Eastern Han Dynasty of China. It was erected in the second year of Zhongping in the Eastern Han Dynasty (185). The stele is about 1.7 meters high and 0.86 meters wide. It is rectangular, has no forehead, and is made of solid and fine stone. Both sides of the stele are engraved with official script inscriptions.
In the early years of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty, the stele was unearthed in the old city of Heyang County, Shaanxi. In 1956, it was moved to the Forest of Steles of Xi'an Museum, Shaanxi Province for preservation. Cao Quan's stele is a representative work of official script in the Han Dynasty. It is famous for its graceful style and neat structure, and has been highly praised by calligraphers of the past dynasties.
2. "Zhang Qian Stele"
Also known as "Zhang Qian Biao Ode", there is an inscription on the stele, which was engraved in the third year of Zhongping in the Eastern Han Dynasty (186 years) in Wuyan (Zhijin) Dongping, Shandong Province), was unearthed in the Ming Dynasty. Zhang Qian's stele now exists in Dai Temple, Tai'an, Shandong.
The fonts in the stele are heavily infiltrated into the seal script structure. The fonts are square and angular, with the characteristics of being neat, straight, square and flat. The inscription on Zhang Qian's stele records Zhang Qian's political achievements. It was engraved by Wei Yin and others in Zhang Qian's former residence to commend him.
3. "Stele of Ritual Vessels"
An important inscription in the Eastern Han Dynasty of China. The full name is "Stele of Confucius Temple Ritual Utensils Built by Han Lu Prime Minister", also known as "Stele of Ritual Utensils of Confucius Temple Built by Han Lu Prime Minister", "Stele of Confucius Temple of Han Ming Mansion", etc. It was established in the second year of Yongshou (156 AD) of the Eastern Han Dynasty. The existing Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong Province. The monument is 1.5 meters tall and 0.73 meters wide, with text engraved on all sides.
The inscription records that Lu Prime Minister Han ordered to renovate the Confucius Temple, add various ritual utensils, and officials and people donated money and erected stones to praise his virtues. The names and amounts of the officials who donated money for the erection of the stone are engraved on the side and underside of the stele. This stele is one of the important masterpieces of official script in the Han Dynasty and is highly praised by epigraphers. The inscriptions on the inscription are fresh and elegant, with a solemn and transcendent look.
4. "Han Lu Prime Minister Yi Ying's Commemoration of a Hundred-Stone Stele of the Death of Confucius"?
It is a typical work in the mature period of Mo Li, and it is also one of the best examples for future generations to learn official script. one.
5. "The front and back stele of Shi Chen"
The full name of the front stele is "The stele of Lu Xiang Shi Chen's tribute to Confucius Temple", which was engraved in March of the second year of Jianning in the Eastern Han Dynasty (169) . Seventeen lines, thirty-six characters. The inscription records that Shi Chen, the prime minister of Lu, and Li Qian, the chief historian at that time, gave memorials to Confucius.
The full name of the back stele is "The stele of Lu Xiangshi's Morning Dinner at Confucius Temple", which was engraved in April of the first year of Jianning (168).
Fourteen lines, ranging from thirty-six to thirty-five characters. This stele is a typical example of the standardization and maturity of Han Dynasty in the late Eastern Han Dynasty.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Official Script