| The use of Chinese chop marks are a historical part | | | | Originally reserved for Chinese nobility, Chinese chop |
| of Chinese culture and still very much a part of | | | | marks were gradually introduced into general society. |
| everyday Chinese life. Here is a brief look at the | | | | Over time the Chinese seal has become an integral |
| origins of Chinese seal marks and how to get your | | | | part of Chinese business, and as a result a personal |
| own personal Chinese seal. | | | | chop mark is required for all legal and business |
| Chop marks are an ancient form of signature seal | | | | matters. A person withdrawing money from a bank |
| and historians have dated some of the earliest chop | | | | would be required to sign and chop the necessary |
| marks as being around three thousand years old. It is | | | | paperwork before the transaction is concluded. |
| thought that the method of stamping your personal | | | | Chops take many forms, businesses, government |
| signature came about because of the the high | | | | authorities and institutions all have their own seal. The |
| illiteracy rate among the Chinese population of this | | | | family signature is another form of chop mark, and |
| time. The signature seal, or Chinese chop as it is | | | | most have been passed down from generation to |
| better known, was the the perfect solution for | | | | generation. This makes it possible for family |
| anyone wishing to put their mark on documents or | | | | businesses to be passed on and anyone in possession |
| letters, as all the person needed was a seal engraved | | | | of the family seal to sign legal documentation. |
| with their personal signature. | | | | |