The Composition of Common Chinese Characters An Illustrated Account

The 652 characters contained in this book are classified by their meanings into various categories and classes which include human body, implements, buildings, animals, plants, astronomy, geography, etc. This arrangement is intended to help readers better understand the regularity and characteristics of character evolution in their early stages. The original meaning of a character is determined in accordance with its form in ancient writing systems and its use in classical records. There are common expressions at the end of some entries to deepen the reader?s understanding of the character concerned. To show the original meaning more vividly cartoons accompany the text for each character.