Explore the elegance of Chinese characters at London exhibition

The 'Evolution of Chinese Characters' Exhibition opened its doors in London on April 20, marking the United Nations (UN) Chinese Language Day. 

The UN established Language Days for English, French, Russian, Spanish, Arabic and Chinese to promote the equal use of its six official languages. Chinese Language Day, on April 20, draws from the legend of Cangjie, the mythical figure credited with creating Chinese characters.

Organized by the Chinese Embassy in the UK, this exhibition aims to celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity, honoring the rich history and contemporary relevance of Chinese characters.

In a speech at the opening ceremony, Minister Yang Xiaoguang of the Chinese Embassy in the UK highlighted the rich contributions of both China and the UK to human civilization. 

He expressed hope for enhanced mutual learning and understanding between the two nations, contributing positively to cultural exchange and cooperation.

The exhibition traces the millennia-long journey of Chinese characters, the world's oldest and most unique script, as they have adapted to the challenges of advancing society and technology. 

From Ancient to Modern Form

Chinese characters have a rich history dating back to the Shang Dynasty (1600-1100 BC). The earliest known form of Chinese writing, oracle bone inscriptions, provided a glimpse into ancient Chinese society and language. 

These inscriptions, primarily discovered in Anyang, Henan province, represent the oldest extant mature script in China.

Subsequent developments, including bronze inscriptions, small seal script, clerical script, and regular script, shaped the evolution of Chinese characters. 

The regular script, characterized by square-shaped characters and straight strokes, became widely used from the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-220) onwards.

From Printing to Information

Printing, one of the four great inventions of ancient China, revolutionized book production. Woodblock printing and movable type printing were two pivotal stages in the development of printing technology. 

Block printing, originating around the Sui and Tang Dynasties (AD 590 - 640), reached its peak during the Song (AD 960 - 1279) and Jin (AD 1115 - 1234) Dynasties.

The invention of movable type printing, credited to Bi Sheng during the Song Dynasty, further enhanced the efficiency of book production. 

Modern advancements, such as the Chinese character laser typesetting system, have continued to innovate and diversify Chinese character design.

The Elegance of Chinese Characters

Contemporary designers have embraced Chinese characters, incorporating them into artistic visual works that showcase their timeless elegance. 

Over the course of the ten-day exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the charm of Chinese characters through a series of special events.  

This event is a collaborative effort between the Art and Design Press, National Museum of Chinese Writing, School of Foreign Languages (Tongji University), and the Beijing International Chinese College.

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