In the name of art, sculptures explore history of Chinese nomenclature
When two Chinese people meet each other and exchange names, they will naturally feel closer if they find they share a common family name. It shows the cultural connotation behind family names in China.
A sculpture exhibition of Chinese family names, which opened on May 18, and will run through July 21, helps to introduce the culture of Chinese families in Beijing's Overseas Chinese History Museum of China.
Bronze sculptures of 101 Chinese family names that are mostly used in China are on display. The sculptures are designed by sculptor Li Tinggui on the basis of some prehistoric characters. They contain some features of the oldest character forms found on animal bones and tortoise shells, known as oracle bone inscriptions, and another ancient Chinese character, usually used as a bronze inscription.
