With roots dating back thousands of years, Chinese seals are more than just 1.________ unique motif, they are 2.__________(symbol) of identity, status, and culture.
A Chinese seal is a seal or stamp used to mark important documents, pieces of art, contracts, or any other item 3.________ requires a signature. _________(typical), the seals are carved into stone, but they can also be made of wood, bamboo, bone, or ceramic. When the seals are used, they are dipped in either red ink _________ cinnabar paste.
The seal was first created in 221 BC. After the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, conquered the six Warring States and unified China, he ordered his first imperial seal to be carved using beautiful white jade. The imperial seal _________(call) the "Xi" and was only used by those in power. The emperors who followed used an imperial seal, but the number of seals changed depending on the dynasty and who was ________ power.
It wasn't until the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties ________ the seal's usage moved from the imperial to the personal, due to the expansion of the feudal arts. Artists began using a stylized seal carving of their name to mark ownership of their _________(work). Individuals also began using a personalized stamp for important documents. These non-official stamps were called “Yin”. Today, seals are used _________ (wide) for marking important documents.
答案
1.a 2.symbols 3.that 4.Typically 5.or
6.was called 7.in 8.that 9.works 10.widely
翻译
中国古代印章的历史可以追溯到几千年前，它不仅仅是一种独特的图案，也是身份、地位和文化的象征。
印章是给重要的文件、艺术品、合同，或任何需要确认的东西做的标记。一般来说，印章是刻在石头上，但也可以用木头、竹子、骨头或陶瓷来做。使用印章时，需要沾上红色的印泥或朱砂。
皇家印章最早出现在公元前221年。在中国古代第一个皇帝秦始皇征服六国并统一中国后，他下令用玉石雕刻他的第一个皇家印章。皇家印章被称为玺，只有当权者使用。之后的皇帝便开始使用玉玺，但玉玺的数量根据朝代的不同而变化。
直到明清两朝，由于艺术不断发展，印章开始从皇家转向个人使用。艺术家们开始使用个性化的方式在印章上刻上他们的名字，以表明他们对作品的所有权。个人也开始在重要文件上使用个性化印章，这些非官方印章被称为“印”。今天，印章被广泛用于标记重要文件。
词汇解析
seal / siːl / n. 印章，图章
motif / məʊˈtiːf / n. 图形
symbolic / sɪmˈbɒlɪk / adj. 用作象征的，被认为是象征的；有象征意义的
status / ˈsteɪtəs /n. （尤指在社会中的）地位，身份
typically / ˈtɪpɪkli / adv. 典型地，有代表性地
ceramic / səˈræmɪk /n. 陶瓷制品，陶瓷器；制陶艺术
dip / dɪp / v. 浸，蘸
imperial seal玉玺
personalized / ˈpɜːsənəlaɪzd / adj. 标明某人姓名的，为某人特制的
