Ancient characters immortalized
- Source: Global Times
- [22:40 November 16 2009]
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The new National Museum of Chinese Written Language. Photo: CFP
By Xing Daiqi
The preservation, display and documentation of the history of Chinese characters can now be assured with the National Museum of Chinese Written Language in Anyang, central Henan Province, opening its doors on Monday.
Anyang is home to the ancient oracle bone scripts, or Jiaguwen, the earliest record of ancient Chinese characters, written on animal bones and turtle shells. The scripts are direct ancestors of modern Chinese writing and are considered as key relics in the study of Chinese etymology.
"The significance of Chinese language and characters is increasing as China plays a growing important role in international society," Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, was quoted on the museum's website as saying.
"The establishment of the National Museum of Chinese Written Language is essential in spreading Chinese culture and reinforcing the dignity of the Chinese people," Li added.
The opening ceremony attracted politicians, scholars and historians, all keen to take a first-hand look at the significant and never-before seen collection of relics.
"The museum will preserve the profound cultural heritage of Chinese characters. Through modern ways of presentation, it will allow people to understand the enormous changes in Chinese history and help to revive the importance of traditional Chinese culture," said Wang Wenzhang, vice minister of culture, speaking at the museum's opening ceremony yesterday.
According to Xinhua, the museum, with an initial investment of 400 million yuan ($58 million), covers an area of 54,000 square meters. A combination of the old and new, the building has drawn inspiration from palaces of the Shang Dynasty (C. 1600-1100BC) and post-modern architecture. The five-story facility has a striking embossed golden roof and grand red columns.
China's only museum dedicated to characters on national level, the institution has an extensive collection of over 4,000 pieces, 305 of them classified as first-class relics.
