The evolution sequence of China's calligraphy is Oracle Bone Inscriptions-Zhong Dingwen-seal script (big seal script and small seal script)-official script-cursive script-running script-regular script. As one of the important symbols of the Chinese nation, the evolution process is also very long.
The history of calligraphy is a unique traditional art in China, and it is an important stage for the development of calligraphy from the Shang Dynasty to the West. China's characters were produced in Oracle Bone Inscriptions in the middle and late Shang Dynasty, and Oracle Bone Inscriptions laid the foundation of calligraphy art, marking the emergence of calligraphy art.
The bronze inscription that appeared in Shang and Zhou Dynasties is Zhong Dingwen. At this time, the artistry of calligraphy has gradually enriched. The structure of calligraphy is more complicated, and there is a heavy pictographic meaning between the lines, but the lines are still relatively simple, and there is no obvious thickness change, mainly in the shape and change of the structure.
Seal character
Seal script is the oldest script in China, which can be roughly divided into big seal script and small seal script. The seal script is divided into Oracle Bone Inscriptions, Jinwen and Shi Guwen. Oracle Bone Inscriptions mainly refers to the characters of Shang Dynasty, which is called Oracle Bone Inscriptions because it is engraved on tortoise shells or animal bones. Bronze inscriptions, also known as Heji, are words cast on bronzes. Shi Guwen has a vigorous and dignified style.
official script
Lishu is divided into Qin Lishu and Han Li. Qin Li refers to the official script from the Warring States, Qin Dynasty to the early years of the Western Han Dynasty, also known as Guli. Such as the silk book of Mawangdui in Changsha and the bamboo slips of Juyan Han Dynasty. Han Li mainly refers to the official script on the inscriptions in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Such as Yi Ying Bei, Ode to Shimen and Book of Rites Monument.
Calligraphy history
In the Qin Dynasty, seal script was unified into official script, which laid an important foundation for the maturity of calligraphy art. Later, seal script evolved into a simple official script.
The Three Kingdoms, the Jin Dynasty and the Southern and Northern Dynasties are important periods for the development of calligraphy. Cursive script, regular script and running script are all mature, and calligraphy at this time has formed a simple system. The Tang Dynasty was the heyday of calligraphy, and the highest artistic achievement was regular script, the most representative of which was Yan Zhenqing's Duo Ta Duo Bei.