Shuowen Jiezi

The Shuowen Jiezi is an ancient Chinese dictionary compiled around 100 AD by scholar Xu Shen. It systematically explains the origins and meanings of Chinese characters, analyzing their components and structure. By doing so, it provides insights into how characters evolved and how they relate to concepts and objects in Chinese culture. Considered a foundational text in Chinese philology, it helps readers understand the logic behind Chinese script and language development, serving as a key reference for scholars studying the history and structure of Chinese characters.