Newly Compiled Oracle Bone Dictionary

Author: Liu Xinglong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: This revised and expanded edition of the New Compendium of Oracle Bone Characters is based on the 1993 version, with additions and revisions made by the author. The revisions to the original New Compendium of Oracle Bone Characters were directly written in the blank spaces of the manuscript. Some of the content was written rather casually, without following a standardized format. Some character entries were not listed separately but were implied within the explanations. During the editing process, we did not deliberately alter the manuscript according to dictionary conventions. This work is not only a reference tool but also an academic treatise, as well as a highly ornamental calligraphic piece. Excessive modifications would disrupt its unique character, and we believe readers will appreciate this during their reading.
Since its discovery in 1899, oracle bone script has gradually gained attention from scholars both domestically and internationally. It is not only a primary source for historians studying Shang Dynasty history but also a key material for paleographers, a major topic for epigraphers, and even a field of interest for calligraphy and seal-carving enthusiasts. It can be said that research on oracle bone script has now become a popular pursuit. Through the study and promotion of oracle bone script, people will inevitably deepen their reverence for the wisdom and talent of our ancestors, gain a better understanding of the profound and long-standing cultural heritage of the Chinese nation, and thus foster a sense of pride as descendants of Yan and Huang.
This dictionary includes over 3,000 single characters, with more than 80 newly explained entries. Each page is divided into three columns: the standard script of oracle bone characters, their interpretations, and the small seal script of the same characters.