Bronze script refers to writings inscribed on bronze ware in the Shang and Zhou dynasties; it was developed from inscriptions on bones and tortoise shells. There were many sub-types of bronze ware in ancient China, but they were roughly under two main categories: sacrificial vessels and musical instruments. Sacrificial vessels were represented by tripod or quadripod cauldrons, and musical instruments, by chimes. Therefore, ancient bronze ware was formerly known as “chimes and cauldrons,” and bronze script used to be called “chime and cauldron inscriptions.” The use of bronze script began in the Shang Dynasty, grew very popular in the Zhou Dynasty, and declined in the Qin Dynasty, lasting over 800 years. Bronze script contained over 3,700 characters, of which 2,420 are now intelligible, slightly outnumbering the intelligible characters on bones and tortoise shells. Bronze script was mainly records of sacrificial ceremonies, bestowals, announcements of decrees, declarations of war, hunting expeditions, and pledges of allegiance. It reflected life in those historical periods.

Various old bronze wares, with epigraphs of old times inscribed on them, were often excavated from the hills and by the riverside in counties and vassal states. The characters looked quite alike. Although nobody can tell exactly how these characters have changed over time, their formative process is more or less traceable. (Xu Shen: Explanation of Script and Elucidation of Characters)

Epigraphs are often inscribed on tripods to leave a name in history and, further, to extol the virtues of one’s ancestors so that their reputations will be proudly passed onto posterity. (The Book of Rites)