The origin of copper coin style and its influence and application on modern design

The origin of copper coin style and its influence and significance on modern design

According to research, the origin of copper coins was first cast in the second year of Qin Huiwen (336 BC). After Qin Shihuang annexed the six countries, he unified the currency in 2 10 BC, and popularized the square hole round banknotes throughout the country, which opened a new era of ancient currency. Since then, the square hole round coin has become a fixed form of copper coins in China, and it has been used until the emergence of silver coins in the late Qing Dynasty, with a history of more than 2,000 years.

Why do copper coins adopt the unique form of inner and outer rings? There are two theories in history. One is the expression of imperial power thought and national unity. The ancients thought that the sky was round and the earth was round, so this view of the universe was embodied in the form of monetary system. The outer circle is like the sky, the inner circle is like the ground, and the sky overwhelms one dollar, symbolizing the unification of Wan Yu. So Qin Shihuang chose this form to unify the currency. Second, it is convenient to say that the shape of square hole round money is used for casting convenience. Round money is easy to carry and can reduce the loss of circulation at the same time. After the round coins are cast, the periphery must be filed neatly, one by one, which is labor-consuming and time-consuming, so the craftsman makes a square hole in the center of the money. In this way, several round coins are filed together with a stick, and the copper coins will not rotate back and forth, thus improving work efficiency. Copper coin is a currency in circulation in ancient times, which is closely related to commercial activities. The reason why it is cast into a round square hole is compared with the principle of doing business: the outer circle is inside.

Business is dealing with people. If you want to prosper, you must be smooth, but you can't lose the purpose of making profits. This square hole represents the purpose of doing business, and its shape refers to the means of doing business. The circle is not slippery, the hole is smooth, and the circle is a standard that achieves the goal without losing credibility. The way to success is for businessmen to benefit from it without offending others. In other words, things should not be angular, and the purpose should be hidden behind the behavior. This is the truth inside the outer circle. According to research, the square hole round money was first cast in the second year of Qin Huiwen (336 BC). After Qin Shihuang annexed the six countries, he unified the currency in 2 10 BC, and popularized the square hole round banknotes throughout the country, which opened a new era of ancient currency. Since then, the square hole round coin has become a fixed form of copper coins in China, and it has been used until the emergence of silver coins in the late Qing Dynasty, with a history of more than 2,000 years.

I think the influence of copper coins on current design is "eternal". Maybe my idea is not unreasonable. In terms of the long-term use of conjoined design, the large number of products created, the number and number of people who use these products, the long-term delay of this design, the excavation of this design idea and the expansion of the design concept, and the discovery and application of rich cultural connotations caused by this design, it can be said that the design achievements are unparalleled. Then, if you want to select a design award in the world, it is natural. China is one of the earliest countries with currency. Since the Xia Dynasty, various natural currencies and artificial currencies have appeared one after another. From the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, the design of various currencies was enough to show us the superb and rich design level in those thousands of years. Many stereotyped currency design styles have been influencing the development of decorative patterns and the formation of culture in China. However, these rich and complicated designs are not comparable to the later copper coin designs. Copper coins in Qin dynasty chose the simplest inner and outer circle graphics, and completed the most perfect use function and the most extensive educational function. It can be said without hesitation that the mastery of circles and squares is one of the most important sublimation stages of human understanding of abstract graphics, and it is a sign that the basic strokes of points and paintings have risen to the basic graphics composed of strokes (from straight lines to planes). In the painted pottery patterns of primitive society in China, except for stippling curves, the basic patterns tend to be regular, such as triangles, squares and circles. These patterns are ingeniously combined to form rich decorative patterns. However, using and expressing squares and circles as design elements and design ideas depends on further understanding and grasping abstract design elements. When people understand the truth that "there is no Fiona Fang without rules" and the law that "the circle makes you move and the square makes you quiet", and even use cultural concepts and feeling patterns such as "the sky is round, the earth is square and the earth is flat" to measure "the square" and "the circle", this design shows great mystery. Money needs to be used and circulated. Almost all coins in the world come down to a circular design, and only the Chinese nation has chosen a circle with a square hole as the final style of coins. Money with ropes running through it is naturally easy to count and carry, and as a drilling technology, casting square holes is much easier than drilling round holes. This design of China currency naturally has extremely rich cultural requirements, which makes people "hard to give up". It is precisely because of this "giving up the easy and seeking the difficult" process design that the design of copper coins naturally has more development possibilities in terms of use function and cultural affinity, and the punched money is more conducive to carrying and counting. Square holes and round coins can accommodate other social and cultural concepts related to graphics at the same time, such as the basic function of currency circulation and stability, the social character of people like sleek and founder, and the position concept of periphery and center. This is why the name "Confucius Brothers" appeared, which made money take the name "Kong" like Confucius and adapted to the cultural spirit advocated by Confucianism. Then, the God of Wealth in China may get the title of "Gong Ming Yuan Shuai". Only the conjunction "money is square and the god of wealth is fair" can pin people's hopes on a broader cultural concept and shape people's character. If we further investigate the design of many daily electrical appliances by ordinary people in China, we will also find many "giving up the easy and seeking the difficult" and "responding to Fiona Fang" (rules). Chopsticks, baskets and dustpans commonly used in people's production and life in China are the most common examples and are also typical in design and manufacture. Otherwise, those modern convenience baskets and sanitary chopsticks that have been "transformed" will not continue this eye-catching and detailed shape. Let's look at the basic shapes of countless contemporary trademarks and other signs, generally following the basic way of contrasting, interspersed or containing Fiona Fang and other basic graphics. These are the basic design ideas of China copper coins. It is no exaggeration to say that the successful design of China copper coins is the result of China designers' understanding of the basic principles and laws of graphic design. This design principle is eternal.