The Beijing 2008 Olympic emblem, officially entitled "Chinese Seal – Dancing Beijing", has a single Chinese character on a traditional red Chinese seal. The words "Beijing 2008" are written with a Chinese brush below it. The figure in the emblem resembles a runner or dancer and the Chinese character "jing" which means "capital."

Tales about Chinese Seal

The role of seals in the Chinese culture can hardly be overestimated. For the last 3,000 years they have been used in official, private, even magic spheres. The earliest examples of seals come from the Shang Dynasty (About 1600-1100 BC) from the archeological sites at Anyang. However very little is known about their usage at this early stage, it is only starting from the Spring and Autumn Period (BCE 722-481) that an increased quantity of seals paired with textual references to them.

According to a Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD) story, the first seal was given to the Yellow Emperor by a yellow dragon with a chart on its back. Another story says that it was given to Emperor Yao by a phoenix as the emperor was sitting in a boat. In any case, the receipt of the seal signifies the conferral of the Mandate of Heaven. He who has the seal possesses the Mandate of Heaven, in other words, he has been given the right to rule the empire. So when Tang, the first ruler of the Shang Dynasty overthrows the last tyrant of the previous Xia Dynasty (About 2100-1600 BC), he seizes the royal seal and thus establishes his power.

History of Chinese Seal

Chinese seal carvings are an ancient art that combines calligraphy and engraving. Chinese seal carvings, or Chinese name stamps, evolved from a practical need to be able to affix a signature to documents and carvings. But these custom stamps became an art form as well as a practical devise, with its intricate Chinese calligraphy and beautiful carvings.