EXHIBITION OVERVIEW

Chinese characters have been widely used and cherished since they were first invented as the writing system of the Chinese civilization three thousand years ago. Chinese characters are a unique form of writing that has evolved in line with people’s needs and flourished over time in terms of functionality and aesthetic beauty. The exhibition offers a panoramic view of their origin, development and evolution, showcasing the earliest confirmed evidence of Chinese characters in inscriptions carved on oracle bones, Chinese characters from the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE) when the scripts became unified and standardized, the oldest prescriptions and other cultural relics. The exhibition also introduces the rubbings of classic inscriptions by Wang Xizhi (c.303–c.361 CE) and Yan Zhenqing (709–785 CE) whose calligraphy heightened Chinese characters into a form of art together with other valuable works of master calligraphers and famous historical figures. Among the works to be exhibited are 110 items that have been loaned from 17 renowned museums and research institutes in China, of which 23 have been designated as “First-Class Cultural Heritage.” This exhibition will also feature interesting stories and anecdotes surrounding the history of Chinese characters. The special exhibition offers a truly unique and comprehensive view of the history, beauty and evolution of the intriguing world of Chinese characters.