When can there be seals and seals?

Seal and seal are two different ancient official seals, and their appearance and evolution have different historical backgrounds and cultural connotations. Next, I will introduce the origin, development and differences of seal and seal respectively, and attach relevant materials.

Seal is an important seal in ancient China, and its origin can be traced back to the late Shang Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang, the system of taking the imperial seal as the emperor's seal was formally established.

Seal is another important seal in ancient China, and its origin can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Taizong and Li Shimin, the use of seals expanded to officials and scholars at all levels, greatly increasing the number and types of seals. The seal is the emperor's exclusive seal, and only the emperor can use it; Officials, scholars and businessmen at all levels can use seals.

Other officials can only use silver seals or bronze seals, and the grade of each official and the specifications of the seals used are also clearly defined. Tokens are usually made of copper or gold, shaped like tigers, and divided into two halves, half of which are left in the hands of the emperor and the other half are given to officials. The tiger symbol is an important tool for the emperor to command the army or manage the place.

In ancient China, there was another seal called "Mud Seal". Mud seal is a tool used to seal documents or utensils, usually made of copper or iron. The appearance of clay seal can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, and it was widely used by the government and the people. The word "sealing mud" still exists in modern Chinese. In the ancient official system of China, the scope and grade of official seal were very strict.

The size, material and nature of seals used by officials at all levels are clearly defined. Some dynasties even stipulated the number and types of seals held by officials when they took office to ensure the stability and unity of the official system.

From the above introduction, we can know that seals and seals, as an important part of China's ancient official seals, are not only symbols of the status and power of emperors or officials, but also an important part of China's ancient culture and political system.