Research Of Characteristics Of "Dian" In Character-Formation In Oracle-bone Inscriptions

With the usage of computer technology, there are many achievements in quantitative and qualitative analysis on the Oracle-bone Inscriptions (hereafter OBI)."Dian", which is a structural element of OBI, appears in many characters. A thorough and systematic research on "Dian" is needed to enrich the study on the structural system of OBI.This paper consists of five parts. In the "Preface", the current research situation about "Dian" is analyzed. The definition of "Dian" is raised. On the basis of this definition, all characters with "Dian" in rubbings of "The Collection of OBI" were collected. After analyzing and sifting, a character table containing999specific OBI from531items is made and present. In Chapter One, all inscriptions in the table were classified into different types depending on the amount, positions, and shapes of "Dian", also considering whether the "Dian" can be removed and whether it is a substitute of another structural element. In Chapter Two,312characters with deciphered meaning were classified into4groups, which are liquid group, solid group, other concrete meaning group and no meaning group, according to the meaning of "Dian" in these characters. The relationship between the meanings and the external features of "Dian" was pointed out. In Chapter Three,312characters are classified into five groups on account of the functions of "Dian" in these characters. In Chapter Four, the connections of the external features, meaning and function of "Dian" are revealed on the basis of analysis in the previous three chapters.