Kui Chu (Volume 1)

Author: Xue Junwu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: The Origin of Chinese Characters explores the social background, cultural atmosphere, ideological concepts, and theoretical guidance of the origin of Chinese characters from a historical materialist and practical perspective. Starting from symbols, it comprehensively and multi-anglely interprets the origin, evolution, transformation, and structural meaning of Chinese characters, as well as the unity and internal connections among their forms, meanings, and connotations. It presents readers with a historical panorama and cultural scene of ancient China and the intricate lineage of Chinese character evolution. From this, one can see the profound depth of Chinese culture and the wisdom of the Chinese nation. This volume tells the stories of certain Chinese characters that emerged in the context of gender, reproduction, reproductive culture, and reproductive worship. It explains approximately 150 characters, along with about 500 related characters. The explained characters are designed to be relatable, vivid, and engaging, presenting them in a fresh light. It is a work that is both scientific and informative, both academic and accessible; it combines textual research with literary embellishment, offering both knowledge expansion and patriotic inspiration. The author uses extensive evidence to argue that the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) is the origin of Chinese characters, that oracle bone script is the source of Chinese characters, and delves into characters that were previously unexplained or misinterpreted from Xu Shen to Guo Moruo. It proposes using the structural and conceptual meaning of Chinese characters to correct errors. From this, many new perspectives, insights, and ideas can be discerned. It breaks away from the rigid, scholastic style, freeing Chinese characters from the dryness of etymology and striving to make each explained character come alive—vivid, spirited, and full of life, with a touch of charm. It is not without interest and stands as a clear stream flowing into the vast ocean of Chinese character culture.