Chinese characters were invented, created and improved by the ancestors of the Chinese nation in ancient times. The current exact history can be traced back to the stone characters in ancient times and the oracle bone inscriptions, Zhou inscriptions and bronze inscriptions of the Shang Dynasty around 1300 BC. . From the small seal script of the Qin Dynasty, it developed to the official script of the Han Dynasty, and to the regular script of the Tang Dynasty, it became the standard handwriting font used today - block script.
Chinese characters are a type of writing unique to our Chinese nation and a symbol of Chinese civilization. In the primitive era tens of thousands of years ago, ancient people learned to use language to express their meaning, and later learned to use gestures. However, some things were difficult to express using language and gestures, so someone came up with a way to make marks. If there are too many, it is easy to forget. Later, graphics were used to express the meaning.
For example, "sun" was drawn in the shape of a circle, and "tree" was drawn in the shape of a tree. This is how the earliest hieroglyphs were produced. . ?
Chinese characters refer to characters ranging from stone carvings, oracle bone inscriptions, large seal scripts, bronze inscriptions, Zhou scripts, small seal scripts, to official script, cursive script, regular script, running script, etc. In a narrow sense, it refers to Chinese characters with block letters as the standard writing method, which is also today's Commonly used modern Chinese characters.
Extended information:
1. Characteristics of Chinese characters
Chinese characters are one of the oldest characters in the world, and their impact on the surrounding areas is also very huge. The letters of the text. It is a written symbol that records events. The shape gradually changes from graphics to square symbols composed of strokes, so Chinese characters are generally called "square characters". It evolved from hieroglyphics (graphic characters) into phonetic characters that also represent phonetic and meaning sounds, but the overall system is still ideographic.
So, Chinese characters have the characteristics of integrating image, sound and meaning. This feature is unique among world texts, so it has a unique charm. Chinese characters are the treasure of the thousands-year-old culture of the Han nation, our lifelong mentors and helpful friends, and everyone’s spiritual home. Chinese characters can often evoke wonderful and bold associations in us, giving people a beautiful enjoyment.
Chinese characters are the bond of the national soul. When making a living in a foreign country, Chinese characters are a kind of sustenance. Even if it is a plaque or a small piece of paper, the square characters on it will attract you like a magnet and make you feel happy. You feel the kindness from the motherland.
Because the Chinese people’s emotions have been condensed into the simplest horizontal and vertical expressions. Every stroke is written with Chinese blood. Overseas, whether you are successful or famous, or wandering or lost, as long as you are accompanied by the square characters, you will have a lot of comfort and sustenance.
Because whether it is a pictogram or a reference to something, whether it is a meaning or a phonetic sound, every word has a profound origin. Every Chinese person has become the soul of the square character.
Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia-Chinese Characters