Warring States scripts for the character 馬 (horse)

What it is

This is a chart of seven variant forms of the character 馬 (horse) in large seal script, one for each of the Seven Warring States: Qin (秦), Qi (齊), Chu (楚), Yan (燕), Han (韓), Zhao (趙) and Wei (魏). Each form is labeled with its state name, and the strokes differ in shape from state to state. The chart was drawn in black on a white background. It is a modern reproduction, not an ancient object.

The chart is based on the account in the Cangjiepian, a text compiled by Li Si, which describes the unification of writing under Qin rule.

Why it matters

Han Fei belonged to the state of Han, one of the Seven Warring States shown here. Before Qin unified writing, each state had its own written forms, so this chart helps students picture the regional world in which Han Fei lived and wrote. It is a secondary, modern summary, so students should check it against the ancient sources it describes.

Look closer

• How do the forms for the character horse differ from one state to another?
• Why might a modern chart be arranged in this way, and what choices did its maker make?
• What does the chart leave out about how ordinary people actually wrote?