Step 3 of 6

Simplified sign?

This plaque is in possession of a unique feature: the character 齋 on it is written in a form that we today consider to be simplified Chinese. In the Qing, it existed as a character in common use in handwriting (俗字) and was incorporated in the Kangxi Dictionary as an alternative for 齋. Yet its use on an abstinence plaque is quite extraordinary. Usually abstinence plaques carry the standard form of the character zhai 齋 followed by jie 戒. Or do they? Go to the related object to find out more in my story Plaque language in writing.

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