Unique anti-counterfeiting skills

In ancient times, 'identity cards' were so simple that there was only information about their names and positions. Birth date or gender . are not mentioned.

In ancient Chinese society, ordinary people had no status and social status. Therefore, 'identity card' is something that only belongs to people who have a clear status.

Information on ancient 'identity cards' is relatively simple. For example, during the Tang Dynasty, on the 'ID card', there were often names, positions, more details that would be the workplace, without the basic information such as birth date, gender, height . Even the name is not available and at that time, 'identity card' is merely a physical evidence. However, the difference from the modern-day identity card is: If 'miserable' is concurrently held, it will be clearly noted on it. Thus, in fact, the ancient 'identity card' is the certificate of status for officials.

Picture 1 of Unique anti-counterfeiting skills
Ancient Chinese "identity cards" areoften reserved for mandarins.(Illustration)

With such simplicity, it is clear that the ancient 'proof of identity' is counterfeited. There is even a huge phenomenon of false honey as a king. To prevent fraud, the ancients often made special notes about the consequences of counterfeiting, lending 'identity cards'. For example, the Ming Dynasty has set strict rules: 'The borrowers and the identity card lenders are equally guilty' ; those who do not have adequate identity cards but who also set their feet to the destination (such as breaking into the harem) and doing things that are not done (such as pretending to be a mandarin) must be 'impeached by law '.

Picture 2 of Unique anti-counterfeiting skills
Prove the type of "fishermen" of the Tang Dynasty.

In addition to strict management, in ancient China there were two other "unique ways" to prevent fake identity cards:

One is: Creating a sign of real identity identification. For example, with the proof of the 'fish suit' type (fish shape), just add a bag, called a 'fisherman', to make the identification sign. High Tong Dynasty, each type of 'fishermen' must always come with a suitable bag. When the royal high-ranking ant, my servant was forced to bring both 'fishermen' and bag to prove his identity.

Secondly: Use different materials as identity cards. Depending on different ranks and positions, the materials used are also heterogeneous. For example, during the Tang Dynasty, the 'identity card' of the princes and the officials of the higher level often used gold materials, with the five or more products, the silver materials were used, and the mandarins themselves became often use copper.