ticketsMember | Make a donation

Emperor’s twelve-symbol festival robe

Qing dynasty (1644–1911)), Qianlong period (1736–95)
Not on view
Official costumes in imperial China were highly regulated, and the decorative motifs of court outfits were specific to rank. Among the emblems used on the emperor’s ceremonial robes were the twelve imperial symbols, as seen on this example: the sun, the moon, constellations, mountains, a pair of dragons, birds, ritual cups, water weeds, millet, fire, an ax, and the symmetrical fu symbol. These symbols, said to have been used since ancient times, represent the emperor’s righteous rule over the universe. The festival robe, also known as a dragon robe, was used for various ceremonies, such as festival banquets and military inspections.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 清乾隆 刺繡御用十二章吉服袍
  • Title: Emperor’s twelve-symbol festival robe
  • Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)), Qianlong period (1736–95)
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Silk and gold and silver thread embroidery on silk twill
  • Dimensions: Overall: 56 5/8 x 63 1/2 in. (143.8 x 161.3 cm)
  • Classification: Costumes-Embroidered
  • Credit Line: Gift of Lewis Einstein, 1954
  • Object Number: 54.14.2
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Amitabha, the Buddha of the Western Pure Land (Sukhavati), Distemper with gold on cloth, Central Tibet
Amitabha, the Buddha of the Western Pure Land (Sukhavati)
Central Tibet
ca. 1700
Seated Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Infinite Compassion, Gilt copper alloy, Tibet or Mongolia
Seated Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Infinite Compassion
Tibet or Mongolia
17th century
Woman’s ceremonial robe, Silk and metallic thread embroidery on silk satin, China
Woman’s ceremonial robe
China
first half 18th century
The Kangxi Emperor's Southern Inspection Tour, Scroll Three: Ji'nan to Mount Tai, Wang Hui and assistants Chinese, Handscroll; ink and color on silk, China
The Kangxi Emperor's Southern Inspection Tour, Scroll Three: Ji'nan to Mount Tai
Wang Hui
datable to 1698
Vase with landscape scenes , Porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware), China

Vase with landscape scenes

China
late 17th century

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.