This article focuses on the phenomenon of a large number of Yuan and Zhu seals in the field of seal carving during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties using copied ancient characters, aiming to explore its underlying causes. As a key style of literati seals in the history of seal studies, the Yuan Zhu seal showed a combination of retro and innovative features during the Ming and Qing dynasties. By integrating methods such as historical philology, visual analysis, and style comparison, and incorporating a social and cultural history perspective, this study aims to clarify the origin, manifestations, and historical background of this phenomenon. Research has found that this phenomenon is caused by multiple intertwined factors: firstly, the flourishing of epigraphy and ancient textual research in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, providing abundant resources and academic support for character shapes; Secondly, in the development of Indian studies, the Indian people reflected on the traditions of the Qin and Han dynasties, pursued personalized expression, and drove innovative practices; The third is the social retro trend and the aesthetic appreciation of "novelty", which creates a cultural atmosphere and acceptance context for artistic innovation. This article analyzes seal making cases, seal studies, and epigraphy literature to reveal the internal driving force and temporal characteristics of the evolution of Yuan Zhu seal styles in the context of epigraphy, providing reference for understanding the development laws of seal carving during this period.

Wenhao Yu. Retro and Innovation: Exploring the Causes of Using Yuan Zhu Seals to Copy Ancient Characters in the Context of Epigraphy in the Late Ming and Early Qing Dynasties. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences (2025), Vol. 8, Issue 9: 36-42. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJHSS.2025.080906.

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