Chinese Characters; Their Origin, Etymology, History, Classification and Signification

"Chinese Characters; Their Origin, Etymology, History, Classification and Signification" is a monumental scholarly work dedicated to the evolution and structural logic of the Chinese writing system. Authored by the prominent Sinologist Léon Wieger and translated by L. Davrout, this volume serves as an exhaustive guide for linguists, historians, and students of the Chinese language.The text provides a rigorous examination of the etymological roots of thousands of characters, tracing their development from early pictographic forms to the sophisticated ideograms of the classical and modern eras. Wieger organizes the material through a systematic classification, exploring the primitive symbols, phonetic elements, and radicals that form the building blocks of the script. By detailing the historical transformations and the philosophical significance behind the characters, the work offers a unique window into the intellectual heritage of East Asian civilization.Recognized for its depth and precision, "Chinese Characters" remains a vital resource for anyone seeking a deep understanding of the world's oldest continuous writing system. Its clear analysis and historical breadth make it an indispensable reference for both academic study and the appreciation of the artistic and cultural value inherent in Chinese calligraphy and philology.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant. Read more