Seal Carving

Seal Carving

Seal carving, with a history dating back more than 3,000 years, is a traditional Chinese art form that combines calligraphy and engraving to create seals. During the Qin and Han dynasties (221 B.C.-A.D. 220), imperial seals became symbols of power and identity. Legend has it that during the Qin Dynasty, Prime Minister Li Si (?-208 B.C.) was commissioned by Emperor Qin Shi Huang to engrave the He Shi Bi jade seal, which served as proof of legitimacy for all subsequent emperors in Chinese history. Later on, seal carving gradually became more popular and was used more widely for signatures and collections. Today, seal carving is still popular, as seen in the seal emblem of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, which features an antique-style design.

Seal carving is a traditional art form in China that combines the spirit of craftsmanship with classical Chinese aesthetics. By the application of knife and pen, it showcases the diversity and intricacy of Chinese characters within a small space. Through grand calligraphy, pleasing composition, and smooth and delicate carving, seal carving conveys the unique charm of traditional art. It is not only a cultural treasure of the Chinese nation, but also a brilliant gem in the world's intangible cultural heritage.

篆刻

篆刻是書法和鐫刻結合來制作印章的一種中國的傳統藝術形式，至今已有3000多年的歷史。秦漢時期，璽印成為權力和身份的象征，相傳秦代丞相李斯（？—前208）曾奉秦始皇之命，用和氏璧鐫刻傳國玉璽，作為中國歷代正統皇帝的憑證。后來，篆刻的發展逐漸大眾化，被更廣泛地用作署名和收藏。時至今日，篆刻依舊流行，如2008年北京奧運會會徽就是一枚古香古色的印章圖案。

篆刻是工匠精神與中華古典美學的結合，它將刀和筆結合，將漢字的千姿百態在方寸之間展現得淋漓盡致。篆刻以磅礴大氣的書法、賞心悅目的構圖、流暢細膩的雕刻，傳遞出傳統藝術的獨特韻味，不僅是中華民族的文化瑰寶，也是世界非物質文化遺產中的璀璨明珠。