UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritages in China (1) (4)

Art of Chinese seal engraving

The item “Art of Chinese seal engraving” was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.

The art of seal engraving is a cornerstone of Chinese fine arts. The seal was originally used as a signature or sign of authority, but it came to be used by all social classes and in much of Asia.

As an instrument of calligraphy and painting, the seal is a work of art in itself. It expresses an entire culture’s ideas about humankind and nature. Today, seals continue to be used in official documents and private correspondence.