Evolution of Chinese characters

The Large Seal and Small Seal scripts are still used to write names on personal name chops, and are also occasionally used to write company names on buildings, stationery, namecards, etc.

The Grass script (a.k.a. Cursive script) is used mainly for Chinese calligraphy. Each character is written with one continuous stroke, which enables very rapid writing, though characters written in this way are difficult to read. Legibility is not a primary concern for Chinese calligraphers, instead they aim to produce calligraphy that is aesthetically pleasing.

The Standard script (a.k.a. Traditional Chinese) is used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, parts of southern China and among many Overseas Chinese communities.

The Simplified script (a.k.a. Simplified Chinese), was officially adopted in the People's Republic of China in 1949 in an effort to eradicate illiteracy. It is also used in Singapore.