On January 20, 2026, the exhibition “The Clarity of Seals: An Exhibition of Selected Ancient Seals from Henan Province” opened to the public at the Henan Museum. Nearly 300 rare seals, spanning from the pre-Qin period to the Ming and Qing dynasties, vividly narrate the epic story of Chinese civilization as carved into metal and stone over thousands of years.

The exhibition is thoughtfully divided into four sections:The first section showcases seals from the pre-Qin period. Primarily crafted from bronze and jade, these pieces display diverse forms and styles, bearing witness to the emergence and flourishing of China's ancient seal culture.The second section focuses on seals from the Qin and Han dynasties. Following Qin Shi Huang's unification of China, the term “xi” was reserved exclusively for imperial seals, while a hierarchical system of official seals was formalized. Seal script during this era adopted the “Moyin” style, which masterfully balances square and rounded elements. The Han dynasty largely inherited the Qin system with minor refinements, resulting in seals that are more archaic, elegant, and majestic in character.The third section presents seals from the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, Jurchen Jin, and Yuan periods. These artifacts reflect the continuous evolution and transformation of seal art amid shifting historical tides.The fourth section highlights seals from the Ming and Qing dynasties. During this time, seals became deeply integrated with calligraphy and painting. The vogue of literati carving their own seals surged, elevating seal cutting (zhuanke) into a fully independent art form with profound aesthetic and expressive depth.

The history of Chinese seals serves as a microcosm of Chinese civilization itself. Official seals embody the responsibility to govern “all under Heaven with fairness and justice,” while personal seals reflect devotion to the Confucian virtues of benevolence (ren), righteousness (yi), propriety (li), and wisdom (zhi). In their miniature world, they encapsulate enduring spiritual perseverance.Seal carving is distinguished by its harmonious interplay and balance of square and round forms. The interplay between the flowing red ink and the white space evokes the “resonance” of calligraphy and engraving, creating a dynamic visual rhythm. Particularly noteworthy are the multi-faceted seals with intricate designs and the ingenious nesting seals (with hidden mechanisms or clever constructions), which infuse practical objects with vitality, whimsy, and intellectual delight.