Khitan Large Script

Timeline

1. c. 920–925Liao Supreme Capital, Linhuang Prefecture · Inner Mongolia Autonomous RegionEmperor Taizu of Liao ordered Yelü Tülübu and Yelü Lubugu to create the Khitan large script modeled on Chinese characters, some three thousand characters, mainly ideographic; the Liao court promulgated it for writing state documents, carving steles, and labeling, establishing the Liao's dual-script (Chinese and Khitan) cultural pattern.
2. c. 983–1050Liao Central Capital, Dading Prefecture · Inner Mongolia Autonomous RegionFrom Emperor Shengzong onward, the Khitan large script was widely used in mourning steles such the "Mourning Register of Empress Dowager Baoning of the Great Khitan State," epitaphs, and official seals; used together with the Khitan small script and Chinese, it became an important vehicle of Liao ritual system and identity markers.
3. 1051–1060Liao Supreme Capital, Linhuang Prefecture · Inner Mongolia Autonomous RegionAfter Emperor Xingzong's death in 1055, Daozong continued the use of the three scripts—Khitan large, Khitan small, and Chinese; during this period official documents, jade registers, and temple inscriptions continued to be written in the large script, and Khitan script education at the Supreme and Southern Capitals operated as usual.