A Research On The Official-seal System Of Ming Dynasty

The official-seal system is an important part of Chinese ancient legal system. As instruments of state power,the Official-seal is a symbol of imperial power. Therefore Chinese ancient country enact a series of legal system around the official-seal.The Ming Dynasty is a late feudal dynasty in china. And the official-seal system is very complete, which is because of the highly centralized administrative system of Ming dynasty.This paper can be divided into four parts, which is the etiquette of awarding the official-seal, the regulations on the use of seal and the “seal crime”. The fourth part discusses the relationship between the official-seal system and the despotical dominion and the positive effect of official seal system in the country’s governance.The first part describes the etiquette of awarding the official-seal. According to different levels, different officers were awarded different official-seal. The higher the position, the more beautiful the form of the seal is. On the other hand, on the awarding ceremony of the royal seal as well as the office-seal, the emperor often serve as the important role, which restifies that the establishment of the members of the royal family is subject to the imperial power.And the office-seal granted is even more so.The second part describes the regulations on the use of seal.“Shang Bao Si”, “Shang Bao Jian”, “Shang Bao Nv Guan”, are respectively in charge of using and supervising and monitoring the storage of seal. In addition, the seal of the Yamen must be used in coordination with the official and the petty official. For the special seal, such as the General Seal and the Vassal State Seal,the rules are very strict. General’s every triumph, he must take the seal to the imperial court.When the official death, the vassal state seal must also be turned over to the imperial court.To some extent, these two systems can prevent the abuse of official seal, so as to guarantee the centralization.The third part describes the “seal crime". Seal is a symbol of the state power, and if officials abuse of the official seal, the imperial power will be endangered. Thus, the Ming Dynasty’s criminal law provide was very detailed, even in exceptional circumstances,the criminal can be punished beyond the law.The fourth part, corresponding to the fourth chapter, discusses the positive effect of official seal system in the country’s governance. Although the seal system in Ming Dynasty is the product of the despotical dominion, its positive role in the national governance can not be ignored. First of all, the seal rule system helps to curb the official corruption. Secondly, the official seal rule system helps to ensure the efficient operation of the state machine. Finally, seal system helps to prevent the Fanzhen regime.With the expansion of Fanzhen’s power, how to prevent the military governorship and how to prevent the threat of central is the ruler must face and consider.In a word, through the discussion of above four parts, this paper gives a general outline of Ming Dynasty’s official seal system, and the core ideas of Centralization behind the rules.