东西问·马年说马丨“汉字叔叔”解“马”：一“马”奔驰三千年

Core Perspective - The article discusses Richard Sears, known as "Uncle Hanzi," and his exploration of the evolution of the Chinese character for "horse" (马), highlighting its historical significance and cultural implications over three millennia [3][4][5]. Group 1: Historical Evolution of the Character "马" - The earliest depiction of "马" was found in oracle bone script from the Shang Dynasty, representing a side view of a horse, indicating its domestication and importance in rituals and warfare [5]. - During the Qin Dynasty, the character transformed into a more abstract form in small seal script, reflecting the standardization of writing initiated by Emperor Qin Shi Huang, which prioritized efficiency in communication [6]. - The character evolved into the regular script (楷书), maintaining its structure while becoming more common in literature and art during the Tang and Song dynasties, symbolizing the integration of horse culture into everyday life [7]. - The modern simplified character "马" has lost its detailed features, representing a shift towards educational accessibility in the 20th century, illustrating the transition of Chinese culture from mysticism to modernity [8]. Group 2: Cultural Significance and Cross-Cultural Comparisons - Sears draws parallels between the character "马" and its representations in different cultures, such as the Trojan Horse in Greek mythology, which symbolizes deception, contrasting with the horse's role in the ancient Tea Horse Road as a symbol of trust and exchange [10]. - The character "马" encapsulates diverse narratives, from warfare to trade, showcasing its multifaceted meanings across civilizations [10]. - Sears emphasizes the importance of his work in digitizing ancient Chinese characters, making them accessible globally, and fostering cross-cultural understanding [12].