"Ancient seal" or "ancient seal" should be the general name of pre-Qin seals.
Qin Shihuang has always been overbearing, and he also has obvious performance on the issue of seals. After he unified the six countries, it was stipulated that only the seal of his emperor could be called "seal", while that of all subjects could only be called "seal"
In the Han dynasty, there began to be names such as "seal", "seal", "seal" and "seal". Some princes inherited the rules of the Qin Dynasty and called their seals "seals". "Zhang" is generally used by military generals.
In the Tang Dynasty, Wu Zetian had many things to do. She thought the word "Xi" sounded similar to "death" and "Xi" was homophonic, so she decided to change it to "Bao". Since then, "Xi" and "Bao" have been used together in various dynasties, but there are many names besides "Xi" and "Bao".
During the Song and Jin Dynasties, seals were also called Ji, Zhu Ji, Yin, Shu and Yue. Why is it called a contract? As a legal object representing rights and interests, seal is often used in contracts (there was a contract system in ancient China. Written contracts, such as written judgments and contracts, are recorded in Zhou Li? Now there is a "contract seal", which refers to the seal stamped on the contract text.
In the Yuan Dynasty, seals were called "Fu" and "Washington". The rulers of the Yuan Dynasty were Mongols. Is it because they don't know much about Chinese characters that they use such a simple and popular word "gambling"? Or is it a manifestation of northerners' straightforward personality? )
In the Ming Dynasty, seals were called "pictures", "vessels", "symbols", "letters", "books", "pictures", "articles" and "Fang Guan". The defense is a little confusing. Then why is it called "defense"? According to records, in the early Ming Dynasty, the Chief Secretaries and the Sixth Ministry often cheated with preprinted blank printing paper. After Ming Taizu discovered it, he changed it to semi-printed paper for separate inspection, which means "close", hence the name "close" and its rectangle.
During the Qing and Ming Dynasties, regular officials called it "seal" with square official seal, which was different from gold, gold plating, silver and copper, while temporary officials used customs defense, made of silver and copper respectively. Crimson inkpad is used for printing and purple water is used for customs clearance, commonly known as purple flower printing. In addition, there are many names and descriptions of seals in Qing dynasty: the seal of the emperor is also called "seal" or "treasure", the prince is called "treasure", the officials below the county king are called "seal", the officials with low rank are called "seal" or "map", the imperial envoys are called "customs defense" and the people are called "seal" or "private seal". The word "poke" is a unique idea. I don't know if it's Manchu, but I haven't verified it.
Today's seals are, of course, called "seals" and "stamps" commonly used, and some are also called "stamps". The "postmark" used by China Post is just that. Generally speaking, painters and painters are often called "seals" and businessmen are often called "seals". But the standard name is "seal". If you want to carve a chess piece, seal, treasure, contract or note, no one will pay attention to you.