Paizi
/ˈpaɪzi/noun
A tablet or credential carried by officials and envoys in the Mongol Empire.
Did you know?Paizi were issued by Mongol rulers as signs of authority, and some granted the bearer access to the empire’s relay-horse network.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Old Chinese
牌
“A tablet, sign, or board; the core noun later used for an official credential.”
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinese
牌
“A signboard, tablet, or token.”
Medieval Chinese
Chinese
牌子 (pái zi)
“A sign, placard, tablet, or identifying token; 子 functions as a nominal suffix.”
13th–14th Century
Mongol-era usage
paiza / paizi
“An official tablet authorizing an envoy or officer to receive services and protection.”
17th–19th Century
European accounts
paiza
“A credential or tablet associated with Mongol and Central Asian imperial administration.”
Modern English
English
paizi
“A historical tablet or pass carried by officials and envoys of the Mongol Empire.”