This is a popular reading material about Chinese characters, introducing a total of 500 common Chinese characters. The book employs plenty of illustrations to depict the original forms of the characters, explains their original meanings and presents the processes of how they have evolved from oracle bone inscriptions to bronze inscriptions, small seal style, official style, standard style, cursive style and running style, which effectively deepens one’s understanding of the meanings of Chinese characters and learn about the cultural connotations embodied in the characters.

Researcher Li Leyi is the former chief of State Language Affairs Commission and the former director of the Institute of Applied Linguistics, Ministry of Education.