璽

Phono-semantic compound consisting of:

玉 (구슬 옥) — semantic component, indicating jade or precious stone.

爾 (너 이) — phonetic component, giving the sound se / xi and contributing the sense of something personal, belonging to one’s self.

In Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字):

「璽，天子之印也。从玉，爾聲。」

“璽 is the seal of the Son of Heaven (the Emperor); composed of 玉 (‘jade’) and the sound 爾.”

Thus, 璽 literally means “the jade object that attests one’s authority” — the royal seal signifying divine and political legitimacy.

In Korean and Chinese historical texts, 玉璽 refers specifically to the imperial jade seal used by monarchs — the tangible embodiment of sovereignty, continuity, and Heaven’s Mandate (天命).

In the Korean royal court, the term 국새 (國璽) denoted the State Seal of the Great King (大朝鮮國璽), while 어새 (御璽) referred to the personal seal of the monarch.

玉璽 (옥새) — imperial jade seal

印璽 (인새) — imperial seal or stamp

璽書 (새서) — imperial edict; letter bearing the seal

璽符 (새부) — imperial token of command

寶璽 (보새) — treasured imperial seal

璽印 (새인) — the impression of the seal

璽命 (새명) — imperial order or mandate

璽簡 (새간) — document sealed by the emperor

The Kangxi Dictionary (康熙字典) defines:

「璽，玉印也，天子所用曰璽，諸侯以下曰印。」

“璽 is a jade seal; when used by the Son of Heaven, it is called 璽, but for nobles and officials, it is called 印.”

Hence, the distinction between 印 (seal in general) and 璽 (imperial jade seal).

In later usage, 璽 was also extended metaphorically to represent imperial documents (璽書) or the emperor’s authority itself (“奉璽,” “bearing the seal”).

The earliest 璽 were used during the Zhou and Qin dynasties.

The 傳國璽 (Seal of State Transmission), traditionally carved from Heshi jade (和氏璧), was said to have been engraved with the words:

「受命於天，既壽永昌。」

“Having received the Mandate from Heaven, may [the dynasty] flourish for all time.”

This 傳國璽 became the ultimate symbol of imperial legitimacy throughout Chinese history, passed (or claimed) from dynasty to dynasty as the physical embodiment of Heaven’s Mandate.

In Korea, royal seals (옥새) were modeled after Chinese precedent but held their own sacred and administrative role — symbolizing the sovereign’s right to issue decrees and treaties in the name of the nation.

The 璽 occupies a sacred place in the symbolism of East Asian monarchy, it unites Heaven (天), ruler (君), and order (道) into a single tangible emblem.

Possession of the 璽 meant rightful succession and divine sanction; losing it was seen as losing the Mandate of Heaven.

In art and calligraphy, 璽印 marks the completion of a work — the red seal impression symbolizing authenticity and creative authority.

Thus, 璽 came to represent not only political legitimacy but also truth, integrity, and personal authorship.

“印以成信，璽以明德。”

“The seal establishes trust; the imperial seal manifests virtue” — 古訓 (Ancient teachings).

璽 is a phono-semantic compound (玉 + 爾) meaning “imperial jade seal.”

It originally denoted the emperor’s sacred seal — the symbol of Heaven’s Mandate and legitimate rule.

Across Chinese, Korean, and Japanese traditions, 璽 came to embody authority, authenticity, and continuity — the physical link between the human ruler and the divine order of Heaven.