明朝颁赐西藏印章的初步研究

Research on the Seals Granted by the Ming Dynasty to Tibet

明朝中央政府颁给西藏地方的印章类型多样,至少包括宗教名号印、封爵印、官印及图章这四类,不同类型印章在颁赐对象、印章特征以及所选择的印章制度方面都有所不同,是明朝治藏政策灵活性和多样性的体现。明朝颁给西藏地方人员的印章不只是作为一种政治象征品,而且在西藏地方被实际使用,被用来发布公告、处理地方事务等,甚至部分印章一直使用到清代,成为受赐者在西藏地方享有政治地位和行使统治权力的重要凭证。

The types of seals granted by the Ming dynasty to Tibetan individuals include at least four types:religious—title seals,knighthood seals,official seals and stamp seals.The difference of these seals depends on the social status of the grantees.The type of seal and the motivation of granting them reflected the flexibility and diversity of Ming policies towards Tibet.The seals did not only function as political symbols,they also had practical functions in Tibet.They were used to announce local official statements,to handle local affairs,etc.Some of the seals continued to be in use until well into the Qing dynasty and thus form important evidence that their recipients maintained their political status and were able to influence the governance of Tibet.