中國 古代 木簡의 署名 방식 연구

Abstract

From ancient to present, all countries have run administrative systems based on official documents. Each administrative organization designed efficient official document forms and methods to firmly establish the controlling power. Main forms of official documents include standardized phrase, seal, signature and ways of delivery. The characteristics of these forms of official documents play an important role in understanding governing system of a country. Paper has been used instead of wood in about 3 to 4 centuries, which has also brought about main changes in documents' forms. Lute and signature are the examples of these changes. When wooden tablet was used in an official document, lute was the way to support the power of the document, but lute was needless when paper documents have appeared. So, signature and seal began to be used instead of lute. But the way of signature in paper documents originated from the way of lute in wooden tablet. Most of all, the word "Seo(署)", which was used in lute, meant a government office that received the document. As lute was disappearing, however, the word "Myeong(名)", which means name, was used together with Seo. Seomyeong(署名; signature) began to mean writing one's name by his own.