“University of Taipei is among the first to apply for preservation of its retired seals,” a city government official said. “The institution plans to add the seals to its archive display.”
The university has a rich history of seals. It was established in 2013 through the merger of Taipei Municipal University of Education and Taipei Physical Education College.
According to the city government, the initiative is in line with a Presidential Office directive last year allowing government-issued seals used by various agencies and organizations to be kept by their original users with proper preservation plans.
The history of the government seals in the ROC dates back to the Shang dynasty (1556-1046 B.C.). Made with copper alloys, the seals usually bear titles of office engraved in seal script. Known as “zhuanshu” in mandarin, the highly decorative style has been the script of choice for inscriptions since it is not easily duplicated.
In modern times, government seals are made by Taoyuan County-based Central Mint under the ROC Central Bank and issued by the Presidential Office. As a result of the recent regulatory easing, these seals may get a new lease of life as memorabilia after their days of official stamping draw to a close. (YHC-JSM)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw