What is the history of greeting cards?

Originated in the Western Han Dynasty, Emperor Taizong greeted ministers with greeting cards. Every Spring Festival and Spring Festival, from heads of state to ordinary people, there is a habit of sending greeting cards to relatives and friends. When did the greeting card, a special blessing medium, come into being, why has it spread so far, and what kind of development and changes have it experienced? China's traditional culture attaches great importance to "ceremony", which was once the essence of China culture. Many contents in etiquette are expressed through forms, such as greeting cards. Giving greeting cards before important personal activities or public holidays is solemn in form on the one hand, and convenient for both parties to inform each other in advance on the other. So since the Han Dynasty, greeting cards have been preserved as a traditional form, but the name has changed. At the beginning, greeting cards were called "name cards", mainly to introduce themselves. In the Western Han Dynasty, they were called "paying homage". Today's meeting of guests is called a "famous thorn". The word "famous thorn" is still used in Japan, and it is our common business card. Everything must show respect for each other first. Today's society sometimes ignores these traditions. After the Tang and Song Dynasties, the name and function of greeting cards were improved, and they were called "door-shaped" or "flying cards". In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, they were also called "Red List" and "New Year Stickers". Listen to the name and you will know that the function is becoming more and more secular, and the literati is gradually drifting away. Actually, the reason is very simple. Ancient education was not popular enough, and few people could read. At first, greeting cards were passed between dignitaries, and the starting point was quite high. Entering the commercial society, greeting cards are more enthusiastic and less sour. It is said that during the Spring Festival in Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong made a greeting card with red gold foil and gave it to the minister as a royal book to celebrate the world. Because this form was invented by the emperor, it soon spread among the people, but the people were not as extravagant as the royal family, so they dared not use gold foil. Instead, write vertically on plum blossom stationery. The upper right is a taboo for those who accept congratulations, and the lower left is the name of the congratulator. It is said that Zhang Shinan, a native of the Southern Song Dynasty, recorded in his works that his family had greeting cards from celebrities such as Huang Tingjian and Qin Guan in the Northern Song Dynasty. This is definitely a classic collection. If it is preserved today, it should be a priceless national treasure. It's interesting to say, the famous cards and greeting cards were originally submitted by myself to show my solemnity. However, in the Song Dynasty, there was a strong commercial atmosphere and people became increasingly busy. Therefore, it has gradually become a custom to send servants to give gifts if they can't deliver them in person. The advantage of this is that a person can send more. If you go in person, the number of deliveries is extremely limited, and people with many friends may be rude. Sending someone to send it has many advantages, which saves the red tape of the meeting between hosts and greatly improves the efficiency. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, there was a set of etiquette for giving cards and stickers. According to the regulations, servants can't hand in greeting cards, so they invented the worship box, that is, the box held by servants when they meet is rectangular, just big enough to hold greeting cards and stickers. After seeing the master, the servant can't straighten the card or sticker, but must open the worship box and let the master take it out. Large families will make their own invitations, so I have several invitations of red sandalwood and yellow gorgeous in Ming and Qing Dynasties. Among them, Zhao's invitation cards made of Qing dynasty mahogany are well-made, which shows the extraordinary status of Zhao's master. Commercial mailing of greeting cards also began in the Song Dynasty. Zhang Shinan's "Notes of Officials" records that every winter solstice and New Year's Day, "all foreign officials treat their officers", which should be the earliest record of postal service as a greeting card messenger. Because greeting cards convey the emotional communication between people, and such communication is often expressed in short sentences. For example, in the Song Dynasty, "Congratulations to Zheng Dan" was often written. Today, it is also concise. Over time, greetings have become stylized, paying attention to celebration, exchanging auspicious words and conveying people's hopes and yearning for life. Every year, Guanfu Museum takes cultural relics as the background, and pays attention to the cultural relics expression of the 12 Zodiacs of that year. Over time, it is also a good collection to collect a set of zodiac cultural relics greeting cards. This year is the Year of the Ox, and the Guanfu Museum brings Taurus to celebrate the New Year, wishing the people of the whole country good luck in the Year of the Ox.