Ba–Shu scripts

Ba–Shu pictographic symbols

Symbols found on artefacts from Sanxingdui

Ba–Shu scripts
Traditional Chinese	巴蜀圖語
Simplified Chinese	巴蜀图语
Literal meaning	Ba and Shu picture script
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Bā Shǔ tú yǔ

The Ba–Shu scripts are three undeciphered scripts found on bronzeware from the ancient kingdoms of Ba and Shu in the Sichuan Basin of southwestern China in the 5th and 4th centuries BC. Numerous signature seals have been found in Ba–Shu graves, suggesting that the states used written records, though none have been found. The known inscriptions are too few to be deciphered, or even to identify the language recorded.

Scripts

The first script consists of pictographic symbols decorating weapons found in Ba graves in eastern Sichuan. About two hundred individual symbols have been identified. The most common depict human faces, hands and figures, tigers, turtles, dragons, flowers, birds and cicadas. There are also some abstract forms. The longest inscription, on a lacquer tray found near Changsha, Hunan, consists of 11 symbols.

The second script is found in both western and eastern Sichuan, on five halberd blades, a belt buckle and the base of a bronze vessel. Some scholars believe this script to be phonetic, pointing to similarities between some of the symbols and symbols of the later Yi script. Except for one symbol resembling the Chinese character 王 ("king"), the symbols cannot be connected with Chinese characters, or with the earlier pictographic script.

The third script is known from a single sample, an inscription on the lid of a bronze vessel found in a grave in Baihuatan, Chengdu dating from c. 476 BC. It may also be phonetic.

Gallery

Scripts

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  Symbols resembling human forms
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  Symbols resembling animals
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  Symbols resembling plants
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  Symbols resembling everyday objects
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  Symbols resembling architectural elements
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  Symbols using geometric shapes
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  Symbols using geometric shapes
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  Symbols using geometric shapes
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  Symbols using geometric shapes
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  Symbols using geometric shapes

Artefacts

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  Spearhead with pictographic Ba symbols
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See also

• Ba–Shu Chinese
• Ba–Shu culture
• Hieroglyph
• Sichuanese people

References

Works cited

• Li, Xueqin (2000), The glorious traditions of Chinese bronzes, Singapore: Asian Civilisations Museum, National Heritage Board, ISBN 978-981-4068-04-8.
• Sage, Steven F. (1992), Ancient Sichuan and the Unification of China, SUNY Press, ISBN 978-0-7914-1037-0.
• Shen, Chen (2002), Anyang and Sanxingdui: Unveiling the Mysteries of Ancient Chinese Civilizations, Toronto: Royal Ontario Museum, ISBN 978-0-88854-441-4.

Further reading

• Jones, Robert A. (1986–87), "Late Bronze Age seals of Szechwan", Monumenta Serica, 37: 233–275, doi:10.1080/02549948.1986.11731192, JSTOR 40726800.

External links

• Rhinoceros-form Ba–Shu seal, Christies sale 2509, lot 899.
• Ram-form Ba–Shu seal, Christies sale 2509, lot 898.
• Square Ba–Shu seal
• Tiger-form Ba–Shu seal, City University of Hong Kong.