Computer description of Chinese character form based on the model of tree taking seal script explained in “Shuowen Jiezi” as example

Chinese is the representative of ideographic systems of writing. The most noticeable feature of Chinese character is the consistency between its form and meaning. The elements of Chinese writing system, unlike phonetic systems of writing, are called components which brought in some meaning when used to compose characters. So the proper analysis of a Chinese character's form must be based upon its meaning. The traditional six principles for analyzing Chinese character forms are known as Liushu. On the basis of LiuShu, the modern study has put forward a new theory using character components and component functions to analyze character forms. This paper, inspired by the theory, used the mathematic model of tree to describe the forms of Chinese characters, and achieved the computer description of all character forms explained in “Shuowen Jiezi”, a word book of Chinese seal script. By such method, this paper also developed some practical computer application for Chinese character study, such as the decomposition and the cluster of Chinese character forms. Furthermore, the method could provide some statistical analysis for Chinese writing system.