Court robes worn by the ruling family and court officials played a significant role in announcing their status. There were detailed dress regulations regarding materials, colors, and symbolsshapes or designs that are recognizable and have a meaning associated with them in the Qing(ching) court that were dictated by an individual’s rank. The imagery on this court robe provides clues that it belonged to a top-rank prince.
What were the color regulations for clothing at the Qing court?
In the Qing(ching) court, detailed color regulations for court robes were used to maintain status boundaries. Only the most elitea select group that is superior to the rest of a group or society in terms of abilities or qualities., including the emperor, empress dowagerthe title given to the widowed mother of an emperor in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam., empress, and first-rank consorta wife, husband, or companion, in particular a spouse of a reigning monarch., were entitled to wear bright yellow chaofu(chow-foo) literally, “audience robe”; a dress that the emperor, nobility, and court officials wore for formal occasions. Design and decoration of chaofu depended on the rank of the person who wore it., and only for the most formal occasions could such chaofu be worn. The next tier down in status wore court robes in other shades of yellow, such as golden yellow and orange-yellow. Blue and dark-blue chaofu were worn by other imperialrelating to an empire, an emperor, or the home of royals. relatives, including some of the princes as well as high-ranking officials. Five-clawed dragons and the dark slate-blue color of the chaofu indicate this garment was for a top-rank prince.
What does the pearl symbolize?
The body of the large five-clawed dragon on the chest is wrapped around a flaming pearl, a symbola shape or design that is recognizable and has a meaning associated with it. of wisdom and purity.
What is unique about these cuffs?
Distinctly different from the wide and flowing sleeves of traditional Chinese robes, the cuff shaped like a horse hoof is one of the unique features of Manchu(man-choo) ethnic group that lived for centuries in the northeast of modern-day China. In the seventeenth century CE, Manchu people conquered China and ruled there for more than 250 years. clothing. The design is modeled on the active lifestyle of Manchu horsemen and archers, from whom the imperialrelating to an empire, an emperor, or the home of royals. family descended. Such sleeves were originally made to protect the hands from the wind. The horse-hoof shape of the cuffs was intended to be a reminder that the success of the conquering dynastya series of rulers from a single family. was founded on riding and archery.
What do the mountains, clouds, and waves symbolize?
The mountain with three peaks refers to the earthly realm. The combination of a three-peak mountain with wavy ocean waters below and clouds above symbolically represents the cosmos.
What symbols of good fortune can be found on this robe?
Auspicioussuccessful or prosperous; a sign of future success symbolsshapes or designs that are recognizable and have a meaning associated with them decorate the chaofu(chow-foo) literally, “audience robe”; a dress that the emperor, nobility, and court officials wore for formal occasions. Design and decoration of chaofu depended on the rank of the person who wore it.. The pair of fish, for example, are emblems of abundance and prosperitythe state of being wealthy or successful.. The bats are symbols for good fortune since “bat” and “good fortune” are pronounced identically in Chinese (pronounced “fu”). Five-colored clouds indicate good omens.
What does the umbrella symbolize?
The sacred umbrella is one of the eight Buddhist treasures that decorates the chaofu(chow-foo) literally, “audience robe”; a dress that the emperor, nobility, and court officials wore for formal occasions. Design and decoration of chaofu depended on the rank of the person who wore it.. It is a symbola shape or design that is recognizable and has a meaning associated with it. of the officials who protect people and are not corrupt.
What does the vase symbolize?
The sacred vase is another Buddhist treasure that can be found on the chaofu(chow-foo) literally, “audience robe”; a dress that the emperor, nobility, and court officials wore for formal occasions. Design and decoration of chaofu depended on the rank of the person who wore it.. The vase is a symbola shape or design that is recognizable and has a meaning associated with it. for peace as “vase” and “peace” are pronounced the same in Chinese (pronounced “ping”).