Abstract:

The conversion between standard characters and heterogeneous characters requires a structural displacement. Although the form of heterogeneous characters may appear different from standard characters, their components and meanings are the same, making them suitable for calligraphy and seal carving. However, when a character lacks a corresponding heterogeneous form, or when it changes in structural position or orientation result in a different meaning from the original character, this conversion process becomes a non-standard use of characters. Clearly, the aesthetic demands of character form and calligraphic layout should yield to the specific meaning of the characters. Distinguishing heterogeneous characters from other misspelled characters with heterogeneous tendency is an important task for standardizing character use in calligraphy. Heterogeneous characters originated in different eras, and their meanings have also evolved. Therefore, in calligraphy and seal carving, the use of heterogeneous characters should ensure that the meaning remains unchanged, choose synchronic heterogeneous characters in priority, and be cautious with diachronic characters, while the use of characters with alternative heterogeneity should be avoided.

Key words: calligraphy and seal carving, standard character use, structural displacement, heterogeneous characters, calligraphic philology