| 释义 |
圣旨 shènɡzhǐ noun imperial edict 圣旨An imperial edict, signifying the emperor’s wishes and commands. The term was already in use in the Han Dynasty, and came into formal use in the Song Dynasty. Edicts were written on a scroll, the type of handle and colour of which were strictly ordained according to the rank of the recipient. Three, five or seven colours were used: the more colours the higher the rank. Today, scrolls are produced as works of art, and usually display the phrase 奉天承运，皇帝诏曰 (‘By virtue of the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees’). |