In Xianyang Museum of Shaanxi Province, there is a rare national treasure-the Seal of the Empress Dowager Tianyuan. This seal, which was appraised as a national first-class collection and a national treasure by Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Appraisal Committee, weighs more than 800 grams. It consists of two parts: the inkpad and the inkpad, and then it is inlaid with tenons and mortises.
The Seal of the Empress Dowager Tianyuan was originally a burial object of Emperor Xiao Ling of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, but it was stolen in 1993 and disappeared. It was not until 1996 that the Weicheng District Public Security Bureau of Xianyang City learned the clue and was immediately detected by the cultural relics police station. After 13 days of continuous fighting, this rare treasure returned to the hands of the country intact.
According to historical records, the "Queen Mother Tianyuan" was the queen of the Northern Zhou Emperor Yu Wenyong. Zuming is the daughter of Turk Jin Khan. She is beautiful and virtuous. In 560 AD, Yuwen Yong ascended the throne, and sent messengers to visit relatives and friends many times, all without results. It was not until eight years later that Yu Wenyong got his wish, married Ashna and made her queen. After Yu Wenyong's death, Ashina was honored as Queen Mother Tianyuan, Queen Mother Tianyuan and Queen Mother Tai by later generations. "Tianyuan Queen Seal" is the seal used when Ashna was honored as "Tianyuan Queen". Empress who has lived through three dynasties was buried with Liang Wudi in the year of her death because of her special status and position, and the golden seal of "Empress Dowager Tianyuan Seal" she enjoyed before her death was also buried with her. Thus, there is today's "national treasure" and many stories about it.
However, the seal of Empress Dowager Tianyuan is just one of many precious ancient seals in China. According to ancient documents, the origin of ancient seals in China can be traced back to the mid-Spring and Autumn Period. Before Qin Shihuang unified the six countries, official seals and private seals were both called seals. After Qin Shihuang unified the whole country, it was stipulated that only the emperor's seal could be called a seal, and all other seals were called "seal", and strict regulations were made on the official seal, and different buttons, shapes and textures were used to represent different official ranks. In the Han dynasty, the seal system was gradually relaxed, and the seals of queens, kings and empress dowager could also be called seals. Although it was still stipulated at that time that the emperor beat the tiger with a jade seal and the queen beat the tiger with gold Xi, the gold seal of "Tianyuan Queen Seal" just met the requirements of the queen's gold seal system. However, not all seals are like this. For example, 1954 The "Queen Mother Seal of Shuoning" unearthed in Lueyang, Shaanxi Province is made of gold and turtle buttons. 1968 The "Empress Seal" unearthed in Xianyang, Shaanxi Province is made of white jade, killing tigers, etc.
The Seal of Empress Dowager Tianyuan is the earliest golden seal of Empress Dowager in China, which solved the mystery of the royal funeral system in the Northern Zhou Dynasty and filled the archaeological gap in this historical period.
The Historical Significance of the Excavation of Xiaoling Mausoleum The Northern Zhou Dynasty began with the filial piety Emperor Yuwen Jue, and passed through Yuwen Yu, Ming Di, Yuwen Yong, Yuwen Yun, Xuan Di and Jingdi Yuwen Chan, and died in 25 years. History of the North and History of Zhou Shu record the tombs of the Northern Zhou Dynasty simply, only knowing that Xiao Min buried Jingling, Ming Di buried Zhaoling, Liang Wudi buried Xiaoling, Xuan Di buried Dingling and Jingdi buried Gong Ling. But the exact location is unknown. In addition, the tombs of the Northern Zhou Dynasty are not sealed or trees, and there are no signs on the ground, stone carvings, cemetery buildings, etc. Over time, later generations don't know its trace. The excavation and discovery of Xiaoling Mausoleum provide important clues for us to find four other mausoleums in the Northern Zhou Dynasty. Judging from the Xiaoling Mausoleum in Liang Wudi, the tomb of the Northern Zhou Dynasty should be near the Xiaoling Mausoleum, which is in Jang Jin today.