At their inception, wax seals were a security measure. One’s placement protected the letter from being unknowingly opened before reaching its intended recipient, ensuring no one tampered with the message inside, and its shape—the definitive emblem stamped into the circle of melted wax—confidently identified the sender. But in later centuries, the use of these seals became more symbolic. Specific colors and motifs set the stage for the reader, giving clue to the sender’s intention before the contents were even opened.
