Symbol. Original Characters and Letters (Chinese Character Tree)

Author: Rao Zongyi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-03-01
Features: One of the important arguments of this book is that Chinese rulers throughout history implemented policies of controlling language through writing—“uniform writing,” which led to the separation of language and writing, with characters not changing along with the language. Moreover, the combination of characters and books, as well as the high aesthetic beauty of written and phonetic characters in art and literature, has created the magnificent and extraordinary tree of Chinese characters, which stands out in the forest of world culture. The chain of relationships between characters, literature, and calligraphy art constitutes the greatest characteristic of Chinese culture. Additionally, it reveals that during the pre-historical period of Chinese characters, the numerous linear symbols on pottery were similar to the Phoenician alphabet and resembled early linear graphic texts in Western Asia. It is believed that these reflect the special phenomenon of ancient Semites using alphabets and attempting to choose ceramic symbols to replace the cumbersome cuneiform letters. This proposes the original and innovative "alphabet hypothesis" that alphabets originated from ancient ceramic texts. Professor Rao further points out that Chinese characters made a wise choice early on not to adopt the path of alphabets. The book traces the evolutionary trajectory of Chinese characters from multiple perspectives and conducts comparative studies with Phoenician linear scripts, Sumerian linear texts, and other linear scripts, exploring the origins of Chinese characters from a brand-new angle. This not only enriches and expands Chinese academic culture but also benefits readers in enhancing their cultural literacy in Chinese culture.