The Origins of Chinese Characters

By Wang Hongyuan. 10' x 7.25', 214 pages with illustrations, paperback. Chinese characters are not simply letters or symbols; they are picture words. This fascinating book chronicles the history of Chinese writing to reveal how today's characters have developed over the centuries from complex paintings and drawings to the codified systems currently in use. A picture is worth one thousand words. The origins and histories of Chinese characters should be not a blind spot in the Chinese puzzle, but a key to resolving the puzzle. Knowing the sources of the words often make the meaning more clear and concise.