Bird-worm seal script
Encyclopedia
Bird-worm seal script is a type of ancient seal script
originated from China
.
"鸟" (or "鳥" in traditional Chinese, and "Niǎo" in Pinyin) means "bird"; The Chinese character "虫" (or "蟲" in traditional Chinese, and "Chóng" in Pinyin) means "insect" or "worm"; The character "篆" means "seal script", respectively.
The other names of this kind of seal script include:
It has two subcategories (sub-styles), including:
, and diverged into different forms in the Spring an Automn Period after the power of the Zhou dynasty
waned and China began to divide into different states.
This kind of seal script first appeared in the mid era of the Spring and Autumn Period. It became popular during the late Spring and Autumn Period, and most popular during the Warring States Period
. It was often seen in some southern kingdoms, like the Wu Kingdom
(roughly today's Jiangsu Province), Yue Kingdom
(roughly today's Zhejiang Province), Chu Kingdom
(roughly today's Hunan
and Hubei
provinces), Cai Kingdom
, Xu Kingdom, and Song Kingdom
. Each state in China during the WArring States Period had its own variety of script.
This kinds of seal script declined after Qin Dynasty
, most likely due to the unification of writing scripts by Qin Shi Huang
(unified into the small seal script), after he unified all of China, although they could be also seen during the Han Dynasty
, and as late as the Tang Dynasty
(on some Tang Dynasty stone tablets).
and iron
antiques of Yue Kingdom (now roughly from Zhejiang Province). This script was often used in bronze and iron weapon
s, like swords
, to indicate ownership or date of manufacture. The characters engraved on the famous Sword of Goujian provide a fine example. A few examples of the bird seal script can be seen in or on container
s and jade
s of that period. The bird seal script was also used occasionally in Han Dynasty seals.
The worm seal script is more common, and probably first originated from Wu Kingdom (now roughly Jiangsu Province) or Chu Kingdom (now roughly Hunan Province and Hubei Province). Examples can be seen on antique bronze weapons, containers, jades, and seals, and even constructional or decorative parts like tile
, etc.. The characters on the famous Spear of Fuchai
would be a good example of this category of seal script.
Seal script
Seal script is an ancient style of Chinese calligraphy. It evolved organically out of the Zhōu dynasty script , arising in the Warring State of Qin...
originated from China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
Names
The Chinese characterChinese character
Chinese characters are logograms used in the writing of Chinese and Japanese , less frequently Korean , formerly Vietnamese , or other languages...
"鸟" (or "鳥" in traditional Chinese, and "Niǎo" in Pinyin) means "bird"; The Chinese character "虫" (or "蟲" in traditional Chinese, and "Chóng" in Pinyin) means "insect" or "worm"; The character "篆" means "seal script", respectively.
The other names of this kind of seal script include:
- Niao-Chong Script (Simplified Chinese: 鸟虫书; Traditional Chinese: 鳥蟲書; Pinyin: Niǎo Chóng Shū). The Chinese character "书" (or "書" in traditional Chinese, and "Shū" in Pinyin) here means "script".
- Niao-Chong Characters (Simplified Chinese: 鸟虫文; Traditional Chinese: 鳥蟲文; Pinyin: Niǎo Chóng Wén ). The Chinese character "文" (or "Wén" in Pinyin) here means "character".
It has two subcategories (sub-styles), including:
- Bird seal script (Simplified Chinese: 鸟篆; Traditional Chinese: 鳥篆; Pinyin: Niǎo Zhuàn. Or, Simplified Chinese: 鸟书; Traditional Chinese: 鳥書; Pinyin: Niǎo Shū), and
- In this style, the stroke has head and tail of bird's like. It's a combination of sela script and bird's shape.
- Worm seal script (Simplified Chinese: 虫篆; Traditional Chinese: 蟲篆; Pinyin: Chóng Zhuàn. Or, Simplified Chinese: 虫书; Traditional Chinese: 蟲書; Pinyin: Chóng Shū)
- In this style, the stroke is similar to a worm. It's a combination of seal script and worm's shape.
Introduction and history
Seal script evolved from Oracle Bone ScriptOracle bone script
Oracle bone script refers to incised ancient Chinese characters found on oracle bones, which are animal bones or turtle shells used in divination in Bronze Age China...
, and diverged into different forms in the Spring an Automn Period after the power of the Zhou dynasty
Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that followed the Shang Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty. Although the Zhou Dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history, the actual political and military control of China by the Ji family lasted only until 771 BC, a period known as...
waned and China began to divide into different states.
This kind of seal script first appeared in the mid era of the Spring and Autumn Period. It became popular during the late Spring and Autumn Period, and most popular during the Warring States Period
Warring States Period
The Warring States Period , also known as the Era of Warring States, or the Warring Kingdoms period, covers the Iron Age period from about 475 BC to the reunification of China under the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC...
. It was often seen in some southern kingdoms, like the Wu Kingdom
Wu (state)
The State of Wu , also known as Gou Wu or Gong Wu , was one of the vassal states during the Western Zhou Dynasty and the Spring and Autumn Period. The State of Wu was located at the mouth of the Yangtze River east of the State of Chu. Considered a semi-barbarian state by ancient Chinese...
(roughly today's Jiangsu Province), Yue Kingdom
Yue (state)
Yue was a state in China which existed during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period , in the modern province of Zhejiang. During the Spring and Autumn Period, its capital was in Guiji , near the modern city of Shaoxing...
(roughly today's Zhejiang Province), Chu Kingdom
Chu (state)
The State of Chu was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state in present-day central and southern China during the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States Period . Its ruling house had the surname Nai , and clan name Yan , later evolved to surname Mi , and clan name Xiong...
(roughly today's Hunan
Hunan
' is a province of South-Central China, located to the south of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting...
and Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
provinces), Cai Kingdom
Cai (state)
The State of Cài was a Chinese state during the Zhōu Dynasty , prominent in the Spring and Autumn Period before being extinguished early in the Warring States Period .-History:...
, Xu Kingdom, and Song Kingdom
Song (state)
Sòng was a state during the Eastern Zhou Spring and Autumn Period . Its capital was Shangqiu . In 701 BC, a political marriage between Lady Yong of Song and Duke Zhuang of Zheng empowered Song to manipulate the management of Zheng.- Origin :After King Wu of Zhou overthrew King Zhou of Shang,...
. Each state in China during the WArring States Period had its own variety of script.
This kinds of seal script declined after Qin Dynasty
Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. The Qin state derived its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi. The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BC, during the Warring...
, most likely due to the unification of writing scripts by Qin Shi Huang
Qin Shi Huang
Qin Shi Huang , personal name Ying Zheng , was king of the Chinese State of Qin from 246 BC to 221 BC during the Warring States Period. He became the first emperor of a unified China in 221 BC...
(unified into the small seal script), after he unified all of China, although they could be also seen during the Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
, and as late as the Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
(on some Tang Dynasty stone tablets).
Usage
The bird seal script is quite often seen in bronzeChinese bronzes
Bronzes are some of the most important pieces of Chinese art, warranting an entire separate catalogue in the Imperial art collections. The Chinese Bronze Age began in the Xia Dynasty, and bronze ritual containers form the bulk of the collection of Chinese antiques, reaching its zenith during the...
and iron
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...
antiques of Yue Kingdom (now roughly from Zhejiang Province). This script was often used in bronze and iron weapon
Weapon
A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...
s, like swords
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
, to indicate ownership or date of manufacture. The characters engraved on the famous Sword of Goujian provide a fine example. A few examples of the bird seal script can be seen in or on container
Chinese bronzes
Bronzes are some of the most important pieces of Chinese art, warranting an entire separate catalogue in the Imperial art collections. The Chinese Bronze Age began in the Xia Dynasty, and bronze ritual containers form the bulk of the collection of Chinese antiques, reaching its zenith during the...
s and jade
Chinese jade
Chinese jade is any of the carved-jade objects produced in China from the Neolithic Period onward. The Chinese regarded carved-jade objects as intrinsically valuable...
s of that period. The bird seal script was also used occasionally in Han Dynasty seals.
The worm seal script is more common, and probably first originated from Wu Kingdom (now roughly Jiangsu Province) or Chu Kingdom (now roughly Hunan Province and Hubei Province). Examples can be seen on antique bronze weapons, containers, jades, and seals, and even constructional or decorative parts like tile
Tile
A tile is a manufactured piece of hard-wearing material such as ceramic, stone, metal, or even glass. Tiles are generally used for covering roofs, floors, walls, showers, or other objects such as tabletops...
, etc.. The characters on the famous Spear of Fuchai
Spear of Fuchai
The Spear of Fuchai is purportedly the spear of King Fuchai of Wu, the arch-rival of King Goujian of Yue. It was unearthed in Jiangling, Hubei in November 1983. The script on it is a kind of script used only in the states of Wu, Yue, and Chu called 鸟虫文 or bird and worms script, a variant of seal...
would be a good example of this category of seal script.
See also
- Bronze inscriptions
- Seal scriptSeal scriptSeal script is an ancient style of Chinese calligraphy. It evolved organically out of the Zhōu dynasty script , arising in the Warring State of Qin...
- Large Seal ScriptLarge Seal ScriptLarge Seal script or Great Seal script is a traditional reference to Chinese writing from before the Qin dynasty, and is now popularly understood to refer narrowly to the writing of the Western and early Eastern Zhou dynasties, and more broadly to also include the oracle bone script...
- Small Seal Script
- Large Seal Script
- Seal (East Asia)