The Dongba Pictorial Script (DPS) is a distinctive ethnical characteristic of the Naxi minority. It is commonly described as the world’s only living pictographic script. During the reform era (1978-present day) the DPS has undergone evolvement. Fears of its possible extinction have been raised. A literature review was used to evaluate the influence of new government policies on the DPS and to put forward possible future paths. Three stages that have had strong influence on the evolvement of the DPS were defined. The first stage concerns the enactment of policies for rediscovering of minority ethnicity, here resulting in a reconceptualization and domestication of the DPS. The second stage concerns enactments of policies promoting the introduction of financial interests that resulted in a commodification of the DPS. The third stage concerns the enactment of regulations stating a commitment of the government to protect DPS while evolving under political and financial interests. It was concluded that the DPS has been transformed from a sacred religious script into a consumable object. Disconnected from its religious foundation it has lost authenticity. A subsequent increased misuse could, if not counteracted, threaten the sound evolvement of the DPS. The present paper suggests that reconnecting the DPS’ development to the local Naxi community will facilitate a sustainable future for the script.