Chinese calligraphy : an introduction to its aesthetic and technique : with 6 plates and 155 text illustratons

CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY

stood in an extended or derived sense, sometimes metaphorical or figurative, occasionally inverted or even directly opposite to the original. Chuan means to turn or transmit, Chu means to explain or note: together they signify ‘to explain by turning’ or ‘to express by reciprocation’. Thus two Or more characters are constructed to explain one another.

For example: Lao (才 meaning ‘ old’, if the final upward

stroke is turned downward, becomes Kao ( A meaning

“to examine ’ (youngsters are generally examined by their elders).

T‘so and Yu Cz and %) mean left and right respect-

ively ; the ancient characters are and X , the second

being formed by reversing the first. The characters k and

(— and > in ancient writing) mean ‘ up’ and ‘ down’ ; but by extension they also stand for above and below, superior and inferior, &c. There are many possible ways of interpreting the characters in this category and the best method is still in dispute. No new words can be added to it except for the purpose of explaining those already in existence. It can be seen, however, how complicated the Chinese character has become in the process of time, and how wide its scope.

(6) SIXTH CATEGORY: Chia-Chieh, Borrowed Characters. To this category belong characters used in senses not originally their own, either by reason of their sound or through association or derived meaning. For instance, Ling (4>) originally meant ‘an order’, and it has been ‘ borrowed’ for the mean-

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