The characteristics and evolution of Han-dynasty Miao seal characters are as follows:
1. Well-proportioned structure. Since the pictographic stage of Chinese characters, there have been more and less strokes. In the Han Dynasty, Miao Zhuan, which was specially used for seals, often used an equal position for each character when forming a seal with several characters. In order to obtain the whole The balance of the seal and the printing are both done with great ingenuity. By means of twists, omissions, shifts, and intersperses, characters with fewer strokes do not feel thin, and characters with many strokes do not appear bloated and cumbersome.
2. Full strokes: Most of the characters in Han seals are written in white, and the strokes are generally thick and vigorous, showing strong vitality. There is a kind of "full white text" seal, which looks almost entirely white, with a very thin red line left between the strokes, which makes people feel very rich and solemn.
The beginning, ending and turning points of the strokes appear to be slightly thinner if you look closely. In fact, this slightly thinner treatment gives the strokes a sense of fluidity and avoids stiffness and bloat. What needs to be noted here is that the use of the knife at the turning point is very particular. To lift and turn slightly, it is best to use a thin knife.
3. Straight strokes: The strokes of Chinese characters are straight and stretched. The appearance is straight and the shoulders are substantial. There are very few oblique or round pens across the entire seal surface. Because the seal is square and the text is also square, they complement each other. Therefore, the strokes that are the basis for the composition of the text should be as straight and square as possible. Otherwise, the one stroke will cause the words to not fit together properly, destroying the balance and unity of the entire seal.
Therefore, whenever the printed characters encounter oblique strokes, they are cleverly avoided and made into straight or horizontal strokes. If it is really unavoidable, shorten the length as much as possible and turn it into a partial, inconspicuous, and relatively round short oblique pen.