Chinese characters captivate as much with their artistic expressiveness as with their fascinating layers of meaning: they are written reflections of a unique and beguiling culture. Drawing upon the latest scholarship, this book gathers 100 of the most significant sinographs, placing them within their historical, artistic, and cultural contexts.  Each word is traced through the ages, from picture drawings to multifaceted modern characters, and every entry explores the characters’ significance in Chinese culture, from words such as dragon, phoenix, mountain, and heaven to abstract concepts of love, truth, wisdom, and luck. Superb calligraphy accompanies the text–often shown full-page for impact—along with lavish reproductions of Chinese brush paintings, scrolls, ceramics, and textiles.