Chen Nan draws a design manuscript at his studio in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Li An)
Move, words of the ancient! Chen Nan, a professor who has been in the research of oracle bone script for 20 years, has invented six sets of animated emojis based on the ancient Chinese writing inscription, and brings China's traditional culture to the world of new generations.
BEIJING, Sept. 27, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Boasting a history of more than 3,000 years, oracle bone script, the earliest Chinese writing inscriptions carved on tortoise shells and animal scapulas, has been given modern meanings with a new series of emojis, thanks to the efforts made by Chen Nan.
Chen, a professor at the Academy of Arts and Design of Tsinghua University, has devoted himself to studying and designing oracle bone script since 1999. So far, Chen has issued six sets of animated emojis, which are pictographs that adopt the syntax of oracle bone script to convey modern words and internet slangs. His works of Chinese characters' design have also been published and exhibited overseas.
For Chen, oracle bone script should go global fused with present and strong vitality of Chinese fine culture, as a way to promote Chinese traditional culture well within reach worldwide.
Chen Nan expounds on his designed oracle bone script via a computer at his studio in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Li An)
Chen Nan looks up a reference book at his studio in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Li An)
Chen Nan (2nd R, back) and his team members discuss a design scheme of oracle bone script at his studio in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Li An)
Chen Nan (1st L) and his team members discuss a design scheme of oracle bone script at his studio in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Li An)
Chen Nan draws a design manuscript at his studio in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Li An)
Chen Nan displays animated emojis to oracle bone script via a phone at his studio in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Li An)
Chen Nan (R) and his team members discuss a design scheme of oracle bone script at his studio in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Li An)
Chen Nan displays a greeting card with designed oracle bone script at his studio in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Li An)
Oracle bone script works designed by Chen Nan are displayed at his studio in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Li An)
Chen Nan expounds on the design process of oracle bone script memes to media at his studio in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Li An)
Chen Nan (C) and his team members discuss a design scheme of oracle bone script at his studio in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Li An)
