The formation of the clerical script is an important turning point in the evolution of Chinese characters because it lays a foundation for the squatter shape of the later script forms.
Seal script appeared in the Warring States Period and was formed in the Qin Dynasty. Then, it became dominant in the Han Dynasty and remained in use through the Wei and Jin periods.
Cursive script often recorded significant incidents, such as nobilities contributions, praise accorded to ancestors, historical events and sacrifices.
Clerical script is bold, exaggerated, free, unrestrained, vivid, smooth and lively with strokes flowing and characters linked together.
Regular script is simpler in form, fewer in the number of strokes and straight in line and can be regarded as the good example for standard writing.