Picture books are books with images as the main form of expression, which began to appear in China as early as the 8th century. This kind of book combines images and words to convey information and stories through exquisite illustrations and concise words. The appearance of picture books has played an important role in promoting the development of culture and art in China.

Origin and initial development of 1.

China in the 8th century A.D. was the Tang Dynasty, with prosperous social economy, culture and art.. During this period, a kind of picture book called "Thousand-character Text" appeared in the court, which aimed at children's learning and made them learn Chinese characters and read by combining pictures and texts. The appearance of this picture book is the origin of the picture book, which laid the foundation for its later development.

2. Picture books on religious themes

In the late Tang Dynasty, the influence of Buddhism and Taoism in China gradually increased, and picture books with religious themes began to appear. Based on the classic stories of Buddhism and Taoism, these picture books spread religious thoughts and teachings through exquisite illustrations and words. Works such as Picture Book of Buddha's Life Story and Picture Book of Taoist Immortals became important manifestations of religious belief at that time.

3. Picture books on historical themes

With the passage of time, picture books with historical themes gradually appeared. These picture books mainly focus on historical events and biographies of celebrities, and record and inherit history through images and words. The most famous is The Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival, which shows the prosperity of urban life in the Northern Song Dynasty in the form of painting and has become a classic in the history of Chinese painting.

4. Folk stories and folk culture picture books

In the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties, picture books began to cover folk stories and folk culture, and became an important part of folk art. These picture books were based on folklore, proverbs and opera stories, and passed on and publicized folk culture through pictures and words. Representative works include Legend of the White Snake and Pictorial Edition of Journey to the West.

5. Influence and inheritance

The appearance and development of picture books have had a far-reaching impact on the culture and art in China. First of all, it has enriched the forms of painting and calligraphy in China, and developed and applied the expression of combining images with words. Secondly, picture books have become an important tool for cultural inheritance and education, helping people learn and spread knowledge. Finally, picture books have promoted the prosperity of folk art and the inheritance of traditional culture, and become an important part of China culture.

To sum up, picture books began to appear in China in the 8th century, and gradually developed. It conveys information and stories by combining images and words, covering religion, history, folk stories, folk culture and other fields. The appearance of picture books has had an important impact on China's artistic development, cultural inheritance and education.