Official Seals of the Tang Dynasty
The official seal of the Tang Dynasty was a broad-brimmed seal with red characters. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the shape of the official seal changed. The size completely changed the tradition of the Qin and Han Dynasty seal size, and adopted the form of a broad-edged seal with red characters. This change was of great significance in the history of seal studies. It had a far-reaching impact on later generations.
Official Seals of Qing Dynasty Officials
The official seals of officials at all levels in the Qing Dynasty differed according to their grades and positions. The official seals of the Qing Dynasty were divided into six grades: treasure, seal, customs defense, map record, regulation record and record. The seal was made of gold, three inches and six minutes square and one inch thick. Seals were used by permanent and administrative organizations. Their size ranged from three inches to two inches and one minute, and one inch to four minutes and four centimeters thick. They were made of silver or copper. The customs seal was used by temporary institutions that dealt with finance, engineering, and other matters. The specific information of other grades of seals such as pictures, records, and records was not mentioned. In addition, there were certain rules on the shape and text of the official seal. For example, the official seal was square, and temporary and unofficial officials did not use official seals. In general, the official seals of officials at all levels of the Qing Dynasty differed according to their positions and ranks.
The Development of Seals Before Tang Dynasty
Before the Tang Dynasty, the development of seals had gone through several important stages. Before the establishment of the feudal system in the Qin and Han Dynasties, seals were mainly used to seal and inspect bamboo slips, and the seals were mainly written in white. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the shape of the seal had undergone a huge change. The seal characters changed from raised white characters to imprinted characters on the paper, which were more distinct and eye-catching. After the Sui Dynasty was unified, this new official seal was fixed as a system, and the sealing mud was abandoned, and the color of the seal was changed. The function of the seal also evolved from sealing bamboo slips to signing documents. In addition, ancient Chinese seals implemented a strict hierarchical system. Officials wore different seals and ribbons according to their official rank and salary to show their power and rank. In general, the development of seals before the Tang Dynasty had experienced a change from white to red, and from sealing mud to the color of the seal. At the same time, it also reflected a strict hierarchy.
The Basic Styles of Official Seals in the Sui and Tang Dynasties
The basic style of the official seal of the Sui and Tang Dynasties was a large seal with red characters, size was generally five to six centimeters square. There was not much difference in the thickness of the strokes between the edges and the seal. The official seals of the Sui and Tang dynasties used small seal characters, but the seal characters were not as strict as those of the Qin and Han dynasties. Some strokes were twisted. The official seals of the Sui and Tang Dynasties had a sparse layout, with round turns and square folds, which had a childish interest. The increase in the printing area was to adapt to the replacement of bamboo slips with paper, as well as the need for Zhu Wen Qian to be printed on paper. The official seals of the Sui and Tang Dynasties were mainly made by casting and welding. The welding seal was also called the "coiling seal". In general, the style of the official seal of the Sui and Tang Dynasties was relatively simple and eye-catching, reflecting the reform and development of the official seal system at that time.
Ancient Official Seals
The Encyclopedia of Ancient Official Seals was a list of different types of official seals. We can get some information about ancient official seals, but we don't have a complete collection of official seals. According to the historical records, there were many types of ancient official seals, including the emperor's jade seal, the imperial treasure, the official seal of all levels of court officials, the official seal of local administrative officials, the official seal of all levels of institutions, the official seal of military officials, the seal of low-level institutions, the seal of feudal regime, the seal of ethnic minority regime, the seal of peasant uprising regime, and so on. These official seals were different in terms of material, button style, and seal text, reflecting the rank and power of different official positions. However, the specific types and forms of official seals required further research and data collection to give a complete collection of official seals.
Ancient Official Seals 'Levels
In ancient times, the official seal's rank was determined by the official's rank and status. The seal of a high-ranking official was larger in size, wider in surface, exquisite in text, and generally made of jade, copper, or iron. The seals of low-level officials were smaller in size, with a narrower surface and simple characters. They were mostly made of bronze or stone. The official seal was mainly used on official documents, documents, memorials, and other important documents. It had serious legal effect and official symbolic significance.
Official and Private Seals of China
The official seals and private seals in China had different characteristics and usage methods in different dynasties. The ancient seals of the Warring States Period were divided into official seals, private seals, auspicious seals, and Xiao seals. The official seal was a token of the imperial court. It was issued by the monarch to officials to use when exercising power. The usage system was very strict. The private seal was mainly used for personal seals and name seals. The auspicious seal reflected the beautiful appeal and pursuit of the ancients. Xiao Xi is mostly used for sealing. After Qin Shihuang unified China, it was stipulated that only the seals used by the emperor could be called "Xi". Official seals and private seals were all called "Yin". In the Han Dynasty, the private seal was free and unrestrained, the layout was flexible and ingenious, and the lines were well-proportioned and strong. Together with the official seal, they built the peak of the Han seal. In the Han Dynasty, jade seals and bird and insect seals were popular among private seals, with gorgeous and exquisite styles. In the Tang Dynasty, the names of official and private seals changed. Official seals were also called seals, and private seals were called seals. Ancient seals were divided into official seals and private seals. Official seals were seals issued by the royal family to distinguish the official ranks of civil and military officials and display their nobility. They were usually square. The private seal was a general term for seals other than the official seal, including the name seal, the name seal, the auspicious language seal, and the leisure seal. In ancient times, the official seal was a symbol of power. It was mostly square-shaped and the words were neat and rigorous. The private seal was customized by the user according to their preferences, and there were various forms. In general, the official seals and private seals of the past dynasties were different in shape, scope of use, and style, reflecting the cultural and system characteristics of different dynasties.
Official website of Tang Dynasty
The specific address of the official website of the Tang Dynasty was not found in the search results provided.
The Official Records of the Tang Dynasty
In the Tang Dynasty, the official positions from the first to the ninth grades were as follows: First grade: Taishi, Taifu, Taibao, Taiwei, Situ, Sikong, Tiance General. The title is Prince and Princess. From the first grade: Prince Taishi, Prince Taifu, Prince Taibao. Wen San Guan is the third division of the government, Wu San Guan is the general of the hussars. The title is the heir king, the prince, and the duke. Two grades: Shangshu Ling, Dahang Taiwan Shangshu Ling. The official position of Wen San is special, and the official position of Wu San is the general of the auxiliary country. The title is the founding county duke, meritorious service is the upper pillar country. From the second grade: Shangshu left and right servant shot, Prince less division, Prince less Fu, Prince less Bao, Grand Governor, Grand Protector. Wen San officer for Guanglu doctor, Wu San officer for the town army general. The title of the founding county public, meritorious service for the pillar of the country. There are three grades: Zhongshu Ling, Shi Zhong, Six Shangshu, Sixteen Wei General, Prince Guest, Tai Chang Qing, Prince Zhan Shi, Zhong Du Du, Shang Du Hu. Wen San Guan is a doctor of Golden Purple Guanglu, Wu San Guan is a champion general and Huaihua general. He served as a member of the Army. The above is a complete collection of official positions from the first grade to the ninth grade in the Tang Dynasty.
Official Seal of Tang Dynasty
We can get some characteristics of the official seal of the Tang Dynasty, but we don't provide a specific picture of the official seal of the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, I do not know how to answer this question.
Official Records of the Tang Dynasty
The official system of the Tang Dynasty was divided into nine grades, of which there was no first grade. From the second grade, each grade was divided into the first and second grades, and from the fourth grade, there were upper and lower grades, totaling 29 grades. The official system of military officers is also divided into nine grades. In addition to the first grade, each grade is divided into the first grade and the second grade. From the third grade, there are upper and lower grades, totaling 31 grades. The specific official titles and duties could be referred to in the official list of the Tang Dynasty.