Understanding Chinese Characters

By Zou Xinsheng & Huang Lu

The appearance of writing instruments is undoubtedlya fantastic progression of human civilization. If we deem that language is the Rubicon that divides humans from beasts,the birth of writing instruments is not only the catalyst for recording the process of human endeavors, but also the threshold to a brand-new world in which a man embarks on a journey with an engine propelled by wisdom.The Chinese character 笔 (bǐ),endowed with such glamour, has reigned supreme in the realm of culture and values for thousands of years in Chinese history.

Speculation has been verified that writing instruments originated from the Neolithic Period, when the magic of笔was amplified and considered to share the analogous intrinsic virtue of nature.

Enlightenment is gained with insights into 笔 —the intelligence of Chinese ancestors manifests itself in word structure in word formation. The top part of笔is 竹 (zhú) meaning “bamboo”and the bottom is 聿 (yù；writing instrument) resembling holding a writing tool in小篆(xiǎozhuàn； small seal script),which signifies the prevailing use of 毛笔 (máobǐ； writing brush)in ancient times. These tools were made of bamboo and fur(e.g. rabbit hair), and the name varies with different kingdoms.For instance, writing brush was called不律 (bùlǜ) in Wu State(now Jiangsu Province) and插竹 (chāzhú) in Chu State (mainly now Hubei Province), both Wu and Chu were kingdoms during the Spring and Autumn Period(770-221BC).

According to Shuowen Jiezi(《说文解字》； The Origin of Chinese Characters), the first known Chinese dictionary in records, 笔 , 秦谓之笔 (bǐ, qín wèi zhī bǐ),“writing instrument” is referred to as writing brush in the Qin Dynasty (905-206BC).Legend has it that writing brush was ameliorated by 蒙恬 (Méng Tián), a renowned general in the Qin Dynasty. As recorded in history, the Qin Dynasty was the first power-centralized empire in China. The name of writing instrument was unified as 毛笔 (máobǐ； writing brush).And the history of technology on manufacturing of writing brushes is an important component of the history of ancient science and technology in China.

Before the Song Dynasties (960-1279), the raw materials used as brush heads were mostly animal hair.During the Song Dynasties, materials used to make brush head became more abundant and diversified.Especially in the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), plant fiber was used to make writing brushes.During this period, the selection and processing of writing brush head, the size and manufacturing of writing brush tube, and the innovation of form and style were given priority in the process of manufacturing writing brushes. The inheritance and innovation of technology on manufacturing of writing brushes undoubtedly and vividly reflected the development of society in China.

Hundreds of years later, the most original and prevalent meaning of the character “笔 ” has evolved from 毛笔 (máobǐ； writing brush) to 钢笔 (gāngbǐ； pen) and 铅笔 (qiānbǐ；pencil).

There is much truth in the philosophy that a man is a student of history, in which 笔 as a useful tool has enabled him to attain an inner equilibrium and achievements by conquering adversity and the unknown realm. Today, people still cherish the image of the writing brush. It takes the lead in the socalled “Four Treasures of Study” in China, namely writing brush, ink stick, paper, and ink slab.