Research on Digital Applications of Bird and Insect Script

• Main Authors: Yi-Chen Lee, 李宜臻
• Other Authors: Huei-Cheng Tsai
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2017
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/kned6n

碩士 === 國立雲林科技大學 === 漢學應用研究所 === 105 === Chinese writing has chronicled the history of our ancestors’ struggle for survival. An official named Cangjie invented Chinese characters during the Yellow Emperor period of Chinese history (ca. 2600 BC); records of this event exist in oracle bone inscriptions. The discovery of inscriptions on their surfaces has rendered items such as tortoise shells, animal bones, and bamboo slips priceless. Moreover, calligraphy has been an asset to Chinese culture. It occupies an important position among the cultural treasures of modern society and has won both praise and a deep sense of appreciation in terms of artistic value. Thus, calligraphy is viewed as a highly valued treasure in the Chinese society. Bird and Insect Script, a type of ancient Chinese seal script, was popular in nations such as Wu, Yue, Chu, Song, and Cai during the Spring and Autumn periods and the Warring States period. It was still in use during the Han dynasty. The scope of its application expanded from its initial use on weapons to inscriptions on musical instruments, wine containers, seals, vatan (decorative medallions used in roofing tile), etc. The script quite often appeared as gold inlay, conveying a sense of elaborate and sumptuous beauty. It evolved into a decorative art form and was ultimately applied to various sorts of objects and devices. However, in the present age of advanced digital technology, only a handful of scholars have provided a detailed introduction and records of the Bird and Insect Script. Therefore, this study adopted the Bird and Insect Script as its primary research target. First, records of the names by which the script is known, its origins, its use in calligraphic art, and other information about it interpreted by various scholars were collected. Then, the data were organized and discussed. Finally, the resulting metadata was used to establish a digital archive to facilitate users to learn about the form, meaning, and historical development of the Bird and Insect Script.