Transmutation of Cai Lun’s Image

The earliest description of Cai Lun is that of an inventor of papermaking, which is included in historical books such as Dong Guan Han Ji and The Book of the Later Han; later, in his hometown, he was also inked by scholars because of some monuments about him, or the authors used his experience to express their own emotions. Recently, Cai Lun’s image has been clarified in textbooks, literary works, and urban civilization construction and is no longer considered merely a pioneer of papermaking. The development of his historical and literary image derives not only from the need for academic research but also the need to establish the Chinese nationalism and patriotism and promote traditional culture.