石鼓文 Traditional form: 石鼓文 Pinyin (reading): shígǔwén Definitions: early form of Chinese characters inscribed in stone, a precursor of the small seal 小篆 (xiǎozhuàn) Characters: 石 - stone, rock, mineral 鼓 - drum; to beat, to strike; to rouse 文 - culture, literature, writing Traditional characters: 石 - stone, rock, mineral 鼓 - drum; to beat, to strike; to rouse 文 - culture, literature, writing