Oracle bone inscriptions are the oldest and most complete text among the ancient texts discovered in China. Oracle bone inscriptions mainly refer to Yin Ruins oracle bone inscriptions, also known as "Yin Ruins characters" and "Yin Qi". They are characters carved on tortoise shells and animal bones during the Yin and Shang Dynasties. At the end of the 19th century, it was discovered at the ruins of the capital of the Yin Dynasty (now Xiaotun, Anyang, Henan). Oracle bone inscriptions inherited the character-making method of pottery inscriptions. They were characters carved (or written) on tortoise shells and animal bones by the royal family in the late Shang Dynasty (14th to 11th centuries BC) in China for divination and recording events. After the demise of the Yin Shang Dynasty and the rise of the Zhou Dynasty, oracle bone inscriptions continued to be used for a period of time.
Development
Oracle bone inscriptions are named after they are engraved on tortoise shells and animal bones. They are handwriting circulated by the Yin and Shang Dynasties; the content records the two hundred and seventy-seventh period between Pan Geng's move to Yin and King Zhou. The inscriptions dated ten years ago are the earliest writings. The Yin Shang Dynasty had three major characteristics,
Belief in history, drinking alcohol, and worshiping ghosts and gods. Because of this, these tortoise shells, which determine fishing, expeditions, and agriculture, can be seen again in later generations and become important materials for the study of Chinese characters. .
Exquisite pen and ink were already available in the Shang Dynasty. The calligraphy style was thin and sharp, with the interest of a knife edge. Affected by the rise and fall of writing styles, it can be divided into five periods, which are introduced below.
1. The Majestic Period:
It lasted about a hundred years from Pan Geng to Wu Ding. Under the influence of Wu Ding's prosperous period, the calligraphy style was grand and majestic, which was the ultimate in oracle bone calligraphy. Generally speaking, the starting point of the pen is round and the ending point is sharp. The straight and straight strokes are staggered and full of variety. Regardless of whether they are fat or thin, they are all very powerful.
2. Instructions:
From Zu Geng to Zu Jia, about forty years. Both of them can be regarded as conservative and virtuous kings. The calligraphy of this period generally inherited the style of the previous period, adhered to the conventions, and created very few new things, but it was no longer as vigorous and bold as the previous period.
3. Decline period:
From Linxin to Kangding, about fourteen years. This period can be said to be the decline of the literary style of the Yin Dynasty. Although there are still many neat calligraphy styles, the paragraphs are scattered and uneven, and they are no longer so regular, but a bit childish and chaotic. In addition, there are many typos.
4. Jinqiao period:
From Wuyi to Wenwuding, about seventeen years. Wen and Wu Ding were determined to restore ancient times and strive to restore the majesty of the Wu Ding era. The calligraphy style became vigorous and powerful, showing the atmosphere of the ZTE. In the thinner strokes, there is a very strong style.
5. The strict period:
From Emperor Yi to Emperor Xin, about eighty-nine years. The calligraphy style has become more rigorous, slightly closer to that of the second issue; the length has been lengthened, but it is more rigorous, and there is no decadence or majesty.
The thin handwriting on the oracle bones is also affected by the knife carving. When doing divination, "yes" or "no" is often engraved on both sides of the longitudinal line in the center of the tortoise shell, and written from this center line to the left and right, so the two sides are symmetrical and harmonious, and have the beauty of symmetry. After the deed is carved, the large and small characters are filled in ink and ink, or the front and back are filled in ink and ink, which is more artistic and can be called a miracle in the history of calligraphy.