石门颂, Han Dynasty rock inscription in Hanzhong, China
The Stone Gate Eulogy is a Han Dynasty stone inscription with 655 characters arranged in 22 rows across a cliff face. It is now preserved in the Hanzhong Museum, where it can be studied and viewed under proper conservation conditions.
This inscription was commissioned in 148 CE during the Eastern Han Dynasty to honor Yang Mengwen's work constructing a passage through the Qinling Mountains. It documents an important infrastructure project of ancient times.
The inscription shows a writing style evolving from seal script to clerical script, with soft strokes that flow naturally. Visitors can see this transition in Chinese writing directly displayed, understanding how the script transformed during this period.
The inscription is housed in the Hanzhong Museum and is accessible to visitors under controlled conditions. Take time when viewing it to fully appreciate the carving details and the arrangement of the characters.
This inscription is one of three major Han eulogies, grouped with the Fu Ge Eulogy and Xi Xia Eulogy. These three works are considered peaks of calligraphy from this era.
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