中國傳統文化 第7期:中國印章
Chinese Seals
中國印章
Seal cutting, though based on Chinese calligraphy, is a comparatively independent traditional art form.
印章即璽印篆刻，是依附於書法而又具有相對獨立性的一種傳統藝術形式。
It takes Chinese characters as its form of expression, using carving knives instead of the writing brushes, and stone instead of paper.
它也是以文字爲表現對象，而以刀爲筆，以石作紙。
Similar to inscriptions on ancient bronze and stone tablets, it can be viewed as a pocket edition of tablet inscription.
與金石碑版相近，可以看作是袖珍的碑版。
The seal has many names in history.
在印章史上它的名稱幾經變更。
It was called Xiyin (literally meaning the imperial or royal seal) during the Warring States Period, the Qin and Han dynasties, and the Wei and Jin periods.
戰國、秦漢、魏晉的印章稱爲璽印。
The Ming and the Qing dynasties were universally acknowledged to be the two golden periods in the history of seal cutting,and coincidentally the seal was known as seal cutting then.
明清以後的印章稱爲篆刻，是印章史上公認的兩個高峯。
And the long period from the Tang Dynasty to the Yuan Dynasty turned out to be a time when the royal seal was on the wane and seal cutting waiting to be rejuvenated.
唐、宋、元三 代則處於璽印已衰、篆刻未興的低谷。
The use of the seal also varied.
在用印方法上，前後也不相同。
Clay impression was used before the Sui and Tang dynasties and inkpad or red ink paste has been used since the Tang and the Song dynasties.
隋唐以前封泥，唐宋以來使用印泥。
Xiyin can be classified into official seals and private seals.
璽印一般分爲官印和私印兩類。
Official seals refer to those of emperors and officials.
官印稱官方的用印，包括帝王的寶璽和官員的印章;私家的用印統稱爲私印。
The making materials used in ancient times mainly include gold, silver, copper, jade, amber, agate, stone, bamboo and copper seals constituted an overwhelming majority.
古璽印以堅實的物質爲材料,大體上有金、銀、銅、玉、琥珀、瑪瑙、瓦石、竹木等，尤以銅質爲多。
Most of the seals were cast, and some were carved.
製作方法多用鑄造法，但也有鑿刻法。
“Chinese Seal，Dancing Beijing”，the emblem of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games officially unveiled on August 3, 2003, is acombination of the five rings, a Chinese seal character of Beijing and “Beijing 2008” in English.
2003年8月3日晚，北京奧組委舉行隆重的2008年奧運會會徽“中國印•舞動的北京”發佈儀式，將中國特色、北京特點和奧林匹克運動元素巧妙結合。
