Many seals from the Han dynasty(206 BCE-220)feature the character wei 唯.The meanings of this character have not been recorded and scholars have interpreted it in a variety of ways.By surveying and analyzing Han seals featuring the character wei and by combining different explanations with personal opinions,the present paper divides seals of this kind into three groups:those expressing uniqueness or humility,those praying for auspiciousness or to ward off evil spirits and those indicating a toponym or an official post.By combining the character wei with the content of different seal impressions,we can clarify the different functions and meanings of the seals in which it features.In this way,a better appreciation of the artistic attributes and value of this kind of seal is possible,as well as a more comprehensive understanding of the development of seal-engraving in the Han dynasty.
关键词
漢印/唯印/唯諾/地名
Key words
seals of the Han dynasty/seals featuring the character wei唯/yielding/toponyms
万方数据