Origins Chinese Characters

by Wang Hongyuan

Chinese characters are not simply letters or symbols; they are picture-words. This fascinating book chronicles the history of Chinese writing to reveal how today's characters have developed over the centuries from complex paintings and drawings to the codified systems currently in use. For instance, the character for chariot does not resemble a chariot at all, but you can see how over the years elaborate pictures of various chariots and vehicles merged into today's character. Richly illustrated

214 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1993