Clerical script facts for kids
The clerical script (called lìshū in Chinese) is an old and important way of writing Chinese characters. It was used a long time ago, especially during the Han dynasty. Even today, people still use it for things like signs and headlines because it looks clear and artistic.
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What is Clerical Script?
Clerical script is a special way of writing Chinese characters. It's one of the oldest styles of Chinese calligraphy. It was very popular in ancient China.
A Look Back: How Clerical Script Started
Clerical script began to develop during the Warring States period (around 475–221 BC). It became very common during the Qin dynasty (221–206 BC). This style of writing was most important during the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). It was still used for some time after that, too.
What Clerical Script Looks Like
Clerical script is easy to read, even for people today. This is because its characters are quite straight and clear. It shares this clear structure with the modern regular script.
However, there are some differences:
- Modern script often looks tall or square. Clerical script tends to look more square or wide.
- Many characters in clerical script have a special, wavy flare. This is especially true for strokes that go to the right or diagonally downwards.
- Some parts of the characters might look a bit old-fashioned compared to how we write them today.
Why it's Still Used Today
Even though it's an ancient style, clerical script is still used for art. You can often see it on:
- Headlines in newspapers or books.
- Signboards for shops or buildings.
- Advertisements.
People like to use it because it has an artistic feel. It also looks very clear and easy to understand.
