Chinese word characters in evolution

Early invention of Chinese characters

2660 BCE

In the early history of Chinese history, the Chinese characters were invented by Cangjie, a figure scribed to be the legendary Yellow Emperor in 27th century BC (approx. 2660 years ago)

Oracle bone scripts

1250 BCE

The earliest confirmed evidence of the Chinese script yet discovered is the body of inscriptions carved on bronze vessels and oracle bones from the late Shang dynasty (c. 1250–1050 BC).

Seal scripts

1046 BCE

During the Zhou dynasty, seal scripts has been systemetic by King Zuan of Zhou. There were several different variants of seal script which developed independently in each kingdom during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. One of these, the "bird-worm" seal script is named for its intricate decorations on the defining strokes, and was used in the Kingdoms of Wu, Chu, and Yue.

Small seal scripts

221 BCE

Before the Qin conquest of the six other major warring states of Zhou China, local styles of characters had evolved independently of one another for centuries, producing what are called the "Scripts of the Six States" , all of which are included under the general term "great seal script". After the Warring States period, the emperor of unified Qin dynasty, first standardized and simplified them into new type named clerical script.

Clerical script

207 BCE