Guwen or Classical Chinese is a form of written Chinese that was used in ancient China. It is also known as wenyan, or “literary language,” and is considered to be the oldest form of written Chinese. Guwen was used in China from the Warring States period (475-221 BCE) to the end of the Han Dynasty (220 CE).
Guwen is characterized by its use of a complex system of characters and its adherence to a set of rules and conventions. It is composed of characters that are derived from ancient Chinese pictographs, and it is written in a style that is more formal and ornate than modern Chinese. The characters used in Guwen are not the same as those used in modern Chinese, and they are not as easy to read or understand.
The purpose of Guwen was to convey the ideas and thoughts of the ancient Chinese in a way that was both elegant and precise. It was used by scholars and writers to express their ideas in a way that was both aesthetically pleasing and accurate. It was also used in official documents, such as edicts and decrees, as well as in poetry and literature.
In modern times, Guwen is still studied and appreciated by scholars and enthusiasts of Chinese culture. It is also used in some Chinese martial arts, such as Tai Chi, to convey the spiritual and philosophical aspects of the practice.