Hundred Surnames -- First Growth Force Book Collection (Color · Phonetic Notation · Illustration Version)

Author: Qu Bo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: According to historical records, "The Hundred Surnames" (Bǎijiāxìng) emerged in the early years of the Northern Song Dynasty, and its compilation and popularity may even predate "The Three-Character Classic" (Sānzìjīng). "The Hundred Surnames" is one of the traditional enlightenment books in China with the longest circulation time and widest spread. The standard version of "The Hundred Surnames" contains only 472 characters, so few that it is almost impossible to form a complete "book" on its own. Although these characters are merely a random listing of surnames, seemingly lacking any inherent connection or specific meaning, they hold profound historical significance and carry information about long-standing ethnic origins, migrations, and more. "The Hundred Surnames" follows a four-character structure, with each four-character line forming a verse, all rhyming, making it easy to read and remember. Alongside "The Three-Character Classic" and "The Thousand-Character Classic," "The Hundred Surnames" was a fixed textbook in ancient Chinese primary education. Recent research on surnames has found that there are over 22,000 surnames in China, both ancient and modern, with approximately 3,500 Han surnames in current use. Among these, there are many rare, obscure, and defunct surnames. This book "The Hundred Surnames" introduces the top 120 most populous surnames in China today, helping children develop familiarity and interest in these common surnames encountered in daily life, thereby promoting the traditional Chinese culture of surnames and playing a role in nurturing and preserving this heritage. "The Hundred Surnames" helps children recognize the most populous surnames and provides a concise overview of their geographical distribution. In the "Famous Family Members" section, it includes an engaging and interesting short story to make the simple surnames more vivid and enjoyable, while also aiding children's understanding and memory. This book is highly practical, informative, and entertaining, and we hope it becomes a beloved teacher and friend for children, accompanying them as they grow up happily.