The finalization of official script also has its own development process. From a broad perspective, there are differences between Qin Li and Han Li. Some characteristics of the Qin Li's body can be seen from the imperial edicts and measuring instruments found in unearthed cultural relics. At this time, the structure of the official script was still vertical and rectangular, and the characters were of any size. Some people call this Li "ancient Li", and this font was still used in the early Western Han Dynasty.
The official script gradually changed with the times, and by the Eastern Han Dynasty, the stereotyped Han official script was formed. Especially during the period of Emperor Heng and Emperor Ling of Han Dynasty (AD 174-189), Han Li reached its peak. The stereotyped fonts of Han Li mainly refer to the handwriting of this period.
The stereotyped official script has formed its own style in calligraphy. The brush can be used both as a top and a circle, with both hidden and exposed edges; the stroke form has the characteristics of a silkworm's head and a swallow's tail, with a silkworm's head in long horizontal strokes, wave momentum, pitching, and a tail; in terms of body posture, It changes from a vertical position to a square, and then to a flat horizontal position. Structurally, the middle part is tightly closed, and the strokes spread out to the left and right, forming a symmetrical "eight-shaped" shape. Therefore, there is a saying of "eight points" in the Han Dynasty.
The style of official script from the use of pens to the knotting of characters is both solemn and strict, and also varied. This type of font inherits seal script and ancient official script at the top, regular script at the bottom, and is written in Tongxing and Cao.
Therefore, official script plays an important role in calligraphy.
By the Eastern Han Dynasty, official script had developed into a stereotyped official script and became the official standard font with strict laws. The official script characters left over from this period are rich and varied. Especially during the Eastern Han Dynasty, the establishment of steles and biographies was popular, so the steles left are the most numerous and the most exquisite.