What is Oracle? When did it appear?

Oracle Bone Inscriptions is the earliest and most complete ancient script discovered by China. Oracle Bone Inscriptions mainly refers to the Oracle Bone Inscriptions of Yin Ruins, also known as "Yin Ruins Characters" and "Yin Qi", written on the bones of tortoise shells and beasts in Shang Dynasty. /kloc-at the end of 0/9, it was discovered at the site of Yindu (now Xiaotun, Anyang, Henan). Oracle Bone Inscriptions inherited Wen Tao's word-making method, which was carved (or written) on tortoise shells and animal bones by the royal family in the late Shang Dynasty of China (14 ~1century) for divination. After the demise of Shang Dynasty and the rise of Zhou Dynasty, Oracle Bone Inscriptions continued to be used for some time.

develop

Oracle Bone Inscriptions is named after being carved on the bones of tortoise shells, which is a kind of book trace circulated in the Yin and Shang Dynasties. The content is an Oracle Bone Inscriptions, which records the 270-year migration from Pan Geng to Zhou Wang, and is the earliest book trace. Yin Shang has three characteristics,

Believe in history, drink alcohol and worship ghosts and gods; Because of this, these tortoise shells, which decided many things such as fishing, conquest and agriculture, can be rediscovered in later generations and become important materials for studying China characters.

In Shang dynasty, the pen and ink were excellent, and the calligraphy was thin and sharp because of engraving, which had the interest of a blade. Influenced by the rise and fall of writing style, it can be divided into five periods, which are introduced below.

First, the majestic period:

From Pan Geng to Wuding, about one hundred years ago, influenced by the flourishing age of Wuding, the calligraphy style was magnificent, which was the acme of oracle calligraphy. Generally speaking, the pen is round and sharp, full of variety, regardless of fat or thin, full of vitality.

Secondly, I sincerely hope that:

It took about forty years from Zu Geng to Zujia. Both of them are holy kings. Calligraphy in this period was sincere, generally inherited the style of the previous generation, stuck to the rules, and rarely made new creations, but it was not as vigorous and bold as the previous generation.

Third, the decadent period:

It has been fourteen years since Suan Xin came to Kangding. This period can be said to be the autumn of the decline of literary style in Yin Dynasty. Although there are still many neat books, the paragraphs are scattered and irregular, not so regular, a little childish and confused, and the number of typos is not uncommon.

Fourth, steep period:

It took about seventeen years to get from Wuyishan to Dingding. Wu Wending is determined to restore the boldness of the Wuding era, and his calligraphy style has become vigorous and powerful, showing a youthful atmosphere. There is a very strong style in the slender brush strokes.

Verb (abbreviation for verb) strict term:

It's about 89 years since I first came to Di Xin. Calligraphy style tends to be rigorous, slightly close to the second phase; Lengthened in length, cautious, not decadent, and lacking in heroic spirit.

Fine print on Oracle Bone Inscriptions is also influenced by knife carving. In divination, "yes" or "no" is often engraved on both sides of the central longitudinal line of tortoise shell, written from the central line to the left and right, so the two sides are symmetrical and harmonious, with symmetrical beauty. And after engraving, all the big and small characters are filled with pen and ink, or both sides are filled with Zhu Mo, which is more artistic and can be called a miracle in the history of books.