Olum Writing Mediums Writing Systems Disclaimer Origins of Writing and Aesthetics in China by Irene Chipman Evelyn Overview Chinese writing originated approximately 6000 years ago. In turn, the pictures led to more abstract ideograms, or pictures that represent a higher meaning. This would be similar to our picture of a light bulb, which, when turned on over a person s head, represents a bright idea. Ideograms led to abstract characters, which represented concepts or ideas. The painting of the more abstract characters has become an art form, Chinese calligraphy, which young Chinese students study for hours on end when they start school and continue to study into their later life.
Much practice is required to make beautiful calligraphy, a highly sought after skill.
B.C. Archeologists conclude from the decorations on the pottery that this civilization had advanced to living in houses, tilled the soil, fished, and even had domestic animals. The criss-crossing lines of the center circle may be a representation of the weave of a fishing net or basket. The arch-forming curved lines surrounding the circle might depict flames of a campfire. The undulant horizontal lines at the bottom may represent ripples or waves of the sea. These peoples may have been trying to portray the the beautiful surroundings of daily life, yet the symbolism is simple.