China

Empire of Living Symbols

Cecilia Lindqvist

ISBN: 9780306816093
Format: Paperback
Publisher:The Perseus Books Group
Edition: illustrated edition

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The origins of Chinese ideographs were not known until 1899 when a scholar went to an apothecary for some medicine made of "dragon bone". To his surprise the bone, which had not yet been ground into powder, contained a number of carved inscriptions. This book tells the story of these origins and offers introduction to Chinese language and culture.

This book presents a fascinating and stunningly beautiful introduction to Chinese language and culture.The origins of Chinese ideographs were not known until 1899 when a scholar went to an apothecary for some medicine made of "dragon bone". To his surprise the bone, which had not yet been ground into powder, contained a number of carved inscriptions. Thus began the discovery of the 3000 year old sources of the written characters still in use in China today.In this unparalleled and beautiful book, Cecilia Lindqvist tells the fascinating story of these origins, and shows how their shapes and concepts permeate Chinese thought, architecture, art and culture. Illustrations in two-colour throughout, and a four-colour insert, make vivid each stage of the story, and the beauty of the characters themselves.

Empire of Living Symbols

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