Wu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Jade (yù) 玺 Kangxi Strokes: 19 Page 729, Entry 04 Comprehensive Collection of Characters (Zihui): This is the vulgar form of the character for imperial seal. Seal (xi): Pronounced si (rising tone). Pronounced xi (rising tone), with a sound identical to the character for move (xi). Shuowen Jiezi (Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters): Refers to the seal of an emperor. Originally written as the character for earthen seal (xi). Yupian (Jade Chapters): Refers to the seals of the Emperor and the feudal lords. Shiming (Explanation of Names): A seal signifies moving. It is used to seal objects so that they may be transported or transferred, but cannot be opened without authorization. Yunhui (Meeting of Rhymes): Represents a token of trust. In ancient times, people of noble status shared this designation; since the Qin and Han dynasties, only the most exalted (the Emperor) may use this term. Zuo Zhuan (Zuo Commentary), 29th Year of Duke Xiang: When Duke Xiang of Lu was in the state of Chu, Ji Wuzi sent Gongye to offer greetings and sent a sealed document to catch up with him. Commentary: This indicates that the seals of feudal lords and high ministers could also be called seals (xi). Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Earth Officers, Market Controller: For all circulating goods, one must rely on seal credentials for entry and exit. Annotation: Seal credentials (xijie) are seals, similar to what is currently known as a doujianfeng (a method of sealing and checking items). Cai Yong, Du Duan (Decisive Judgments): Records that the Emperor possesses six types of seals. Book of the Later Han (Hou Hanshu), Treatise on Carriages and Attire: Seals were all made of jade, with knobs shaped like hornless dragons. The inscriptions were "Emperor's Traveling Seal," "Emperor's Personal Seal," "Emperor's Trusted Seal," "Son of Heaven's Traveling Seal," "Son of Heaven's Personal Seal," and "Son of Heaven's Trusted Seal," totaling six types. Additionally, there was a large Lantian jade seal with the inscription: "Having Received Heaven's Mandate, the Emperor Shall Live Forever." Zhengzitong (True Character Guide): Records further that under old regulations, the Emperor used six seals for his carriages, which were changed to treasures (bao) during the Tang dynasty. At the end of the Tang, these seals were lost; during the Guangshun era of the Later Zhou, a decree was issued to create two treasure seals, named "Treasure of the Emperor Who Receives the Mandate from Heaven" and "Divine Treasure of the Emperor." Initially, Emperor Taizong of Tang commissioned the Mandate-Receiving Seal, made of white jade with a hornless dragon knob, inscribed with: "Glorious Mandate of Imperial Heaven, the Virtuous Shall Prosper." Empress Wu Zetian changed all seals to treasures, but after Emperor Zhongzong of Tang ascended the throne, the term seal was restored. In the sixth year of the Kaiyuan era, they were again changed to treasures. Initially, "seal documents" were changed to "treasure documents," and later the "State-Transmitting Treasure" was renamed the "Great Treasure of Receiving Heaven." Also used as a surname. Surname Genealogy (Xingpu): In the Ming dynasty, there was a person named Xishu. Also used as a personal name. Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing): The younger brother of Houji was named Taixi, who fathered Shujun. Also used as a name of a state. Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing): The state of Xi is located to the southeast of Kunlun Ruins, within the shifting sands. Zihuibu (Supplement to the Comprehensive Collection of Characters): The book Baopuzi records the state of Xichan. The original form of the character belongs to the radical for huan. Verification of the character for seal: In the Rites of Zhou, Earth Officers, Market Controller, for all circulating goods, one must rely on seal credentials for entry and exit. Annotation: Seal credentials are seals, similar to what is currently known as a doujianfeng. Per the original text, the character for inspect (jian) has been corrected to the standard character for inspect (jian).