Complete Book of Chinese Calligraphy Collection and Appreciation (Volumes 1 and 2)

Author: Guan Xianfeng / Country:
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-11-01
Features: Oracle bone script is the writing system used during the Shang Dynasty in Chinese history and is the earliest systematic and mature script known to date. Oracle bone script refers to the inscriptions on animal bones and turtle shells. The earliest oracle bone script discovered to date dates back to approximately 3,500–3,700 years ago and was found in Xiaotun Village, Anyang County, Henan Province, in 1899 (the 25th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty). As this site is the ruins of the capital of the Shang Dynasty, oracle bone script is also known as "Yinxu script." Subsequently, a large number of oracle bone scripts were unearthed. Statistics show that there are over 100,000 pieces. In 1977, oracle bone scripts from the Western Zhou period were discovered in Qishan County, Shaanxi Province. The content inscribed on oracle bones mostly consists of divinations and related texts. The Shang Dynasty rulers were superstitious and conducted divinations for every occasion, whether large or small—such as (sacrifices), warfare, agriculture, fishing, travel, harvests, hunting, childbirth, and illnesses—to seek auspiciousness or inauspiciousness. The divination content, results, diviner's names, and whether the predictions came true were all carved onto turtle shells or animal bones. Therefore, oracle bone script is also known as "divination inscriptions." According to existing data, oracle bone script uses over 4,600 characters, of which approximately 1,600 have been deciphered and are widely recognized. In terms of structural principles, it embodies the "Six Principles of Ancient Character Formation" (as summarized by Xu Shen of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Six Principles are pictographic, associative, phonetic, (indicative), transference, and loan characters). As a script, oracle bone script forms a unique system in terms of brushwork, structure, and layout. The brushwork of oracle bone script is both square and round, with square strokes being predominant. The intersections of vertical and horizontal strokes are rough and heavy, and the lines vary in thickness. This is likely related to the sharpness of the knife, the hardness or softness of the bone or shell, and the style and technique of the carver. On some oracle bones, traces of red and black ink are found, suggesting that the script may have been written first and then carved or filled in afterward. In terms of structure, oracle bone characters are generally monolithic in form. Although they vary in size and shape, they are generally long and thin, with stable centers and well-balanced primary and secondary strokes, forming a dense structure. The layout of oracle bone script is relatively free-form. Some are arranged in rows and columns with consistent character sizes, while others are organized only in vertical rows, with varying sizes and lengths. The history of the carving, application, and evolution of Shang Dynasty oracle bone script spans eight generations and 12 kings, from Pan Geng to Di Xin (Zhou). In terms of classification, Dong Zuo (Bing) Group, from the reign of King Wu Ding of the Shang Dynasty, is generally bold and vigorous, considered a fine example of oracle bone script calligraphy. Second, the Zi Group, also from the reign of King Wu Ding, consists of non-royal divinations with small, well-defined characters. Third, the Dui (Dui) Group, also from the reign of King Wu Ding, features characters with varied and dynamic poses. According to the nine-group classification proposed by Li Xueqin, the divination inscriptions and their characteristics are as follows:
1. Bing Group: From the reign of King Wu Ding, generally bold and vigorous, considered a fine example of oracle bone script calligraphy.
2. Zi Group: Non-royal divinations from the reign of King Wu Ding, with small, well-defined characters.
3. Dui Group: Non-royal divinations from the reign of King Wu Ding, featuring characters with varied and dynamic poses.
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