Seal is a traditional culture and art with a long history in China, which integrates practicality and appreciation. It existed as early as the Yin and Shang Dynasties, and the square inch fully reflected the extraordinary wisdom and exquisite carving skills of the ancients.
Then, why was the seal of the ancient emperor called "Xi"?
Seal, also known as seal, was called "seal" by the ancients. For example, Xiao Er Ya uploaded: "A seal is a seal." Cai Yong's Dictatorship in the Eastern Han Dynasty said: "Those who seal the seal are also printed." Before the Qin Dynasty, regardless of rank, seals were generally called "seals". After Qin unified the six countries, it was stipulated that the emperor's seal was called "seal" and his subjects could only be called "seal".
Qing Emperor Kangxi's Imperial Seal "Treasure of Emperor Kangxi's Imperial Pen" (network picture)
In addition, according to research, ancient jade printing began in the Warring States period. In the Qin Dynasty, most of the seals used by emperors were carved into exquisite jade seals, decorated with dragon and tiger seals, so they were also called "jade seals". For example, Cai Yong's "Arbitrariness" says: "The imperial seal kills the tiger for the jade. The ancients praised * * * ... Since the Qin Dynasty, the emperor has used the jade seal alone, and the ministers dare not use it. " And "Shuo Wen Jie Zi": "Seal is also the seal of the king."
According to the Book of the Later Han Dynasty? Xu Yichuan? Prince Zhang Huai? According to Wei Hong Notes, Qin Shihuang was awarded the seal of Lantian Jade Carving. There were five dragons on the plate of the button, and eight characters of seal script written by Li Si were engraved on the front, which was called "Qin Xi".
"Qin Xi" carved by Insect Birds. (network picture)
When Zi Ying, king of Qin surrendered to the Han Dynasty, he presented Qin Xi, which Emperor Gaozu wore after he acceded to the throne. It has been handed down from generation to generation and is called "Han Guo Chuan Xi". Later, it was renamed "Guo Chuan Xi" in the Tang Dynasty. Emperors of past dynasties took this "national seal" as a token and regarded it as an orthodox symbol of "divine right of monarchy" But it is a pity that the "national seal" has been lost after repeated changes of ownership in many dynasties.
According to experts' research, the appearance of seals began in the late Shang Dynasty or between Shang and Zhou Dynasties, and gradually prevailed in the Warring States period, and the Han Dynasty was complete. A seal can be divided into an official seal and a private seal, representing an official certificate and a private certificate respectively. Seals have different names in different dynasties.
Before the Qin Dynasty, official seal and private seal were both called "seal", which was the earliest seal name. "Seal" first appeared in the official seal of Qin Dynasty, but the official seal system was established in Han Dynasty. The seal used by governors is called "seal", and it is called "seal" by officials of Liehou, Shi Yu and Zhongershi, and it is called "seal" when they moved to officials of 400 stones.
Generals in the Han Dynasty used seals, which were generally called "seals" rather than "seals". Therefore, "Pu Yin" is more special in China seal. General print often appointed a general temporarily because of the need of military operations, and hastily carved a seal on the printing surface with a knife, hence the name. In the Tang dynasty, the size of the seal was used to distinguish the level of official positions. After Wu Zetian usurped the throne, she thought that the seal was similar to death and changed it to "treasure". After the Tang dynasty, seals and treasures were used together, and official seals and private seals also had names such as record, pledge and customs defense.
The ancient book "Ming Shi" said: "Printing is believing. Therefore, the seal is also a letter test. " Cai Yong's Dictatorship in the Eastern Han Dynasty said: "Print, print." And Shuowen uploaded: "India, the letter held by the rulers." Therefore, it is necessary to seal the country, the emperor's decree, appoint and remove officials, issue orders, and pass customs and border defense. Private transactions, calligraphy and painting should also be stamped.
It can be seen that the connotation of seal is "faith", which means sincerity and self-representation, and it is also an important part of China's traditional moral culture.