How to recognize the characters in seal script

How to recognize seal script is as follows:

1. Master the basic features of seal script: The basic features of seal script are the circling and zigzagging of the strokes, the changeable structure, and the fact that they are often not easy to recognize. Therefore, in order to recognize seal script characters, you need to understand their basic features and evolution patterns first.

2. Observe the overall characteristics of the characters: When identifying seal characters, you need to observe the overall characteristics of the characters, such as the size, squareness, length, width and narrowness of the characters. These features help to identify the type of seal characters and the context of the era.

3. Analyze the structure of the characters: The structure of seal characters is often complicated and needs to be analyzed carefully. For example, some seal script characters may have multi-layer structure, which need to be recognized layer by layer; some seal script characters have a structure that is quite different from that of modern Chinese characters, which need to be recognized with the help of knowledge of paleography.

4, with the help of tools: When recognizing seal characters, you can use some tools such as Shuowen Jiezi (Explaining and Analysing Characters) and Kangxi Zidian (Kangxi Dictionary) to check and compare them. These tools can explain and annotate the sound, shape and meaning of seal characters.

5. Pay attention to the historical and cultural background: Seal characters often contain a rich historical and cultural background, so when identifying seal characters, you need to pay attention to the historical and cultural connotations behind them. For example, some seal characters may be associated with ancient political, economic and cultural backgrounds, which need to be interpreted with historical knowledge.

History of the Evolution of Seal Characters:

1. The Big Seal Character: During the period of King Xuan of Zhou (827 BC), Tai Shi Prefecture created the Big Seal Character, which was the initial stage of seal characters. The characteristics of the Big Seal Script are the rounded lines, the varying thickness of the strokes, the varied structure and the staggered shape of the characters.

2. Small Seal Script: After Qin Shi Huang unified China, Li Si and others simplified, standardized and improved the Big Seal Script, forming the Small Seal Script. Small Seal Script is characterized by straight lines, even strokes, symmetrical structure, and beautifully simple characters.

3. Han Seal Script: During the Han Dynasty, the seal characters were further simplified to form Han Seal Script. The characteristics of Han Seal Script are straight strokes, even structure and neat character shapes, but it still retains a certain amount of seal meaning.

4. Tang Seal Script: During the Tang Dynasty, the seal script was further developed to form the Tang Seal Script. Tang Seal Script is characterized by rounded and smooth lines, richer and more varied structures, and more beautiful character shapes.

5. Modern Seal Script: After entering the modern society, some calligraphers and litterateurs innovated and developed the seal script again, forming the modern seal script. Modern Seal Script pays more attention to artistry and personalization, and the forms are more diversified, but at the same time, it also keeps the characteristics and flavor of the traditional Seal Script.