This Chinese mandarin square is one of several excellent examples of rank badges which were worn on the robes of officials during the Ming and Qing (Ch'ing) dynasties to indicate rank. Mandarins were highly educated government officials who had to pass difficult examinations to achieve their status. Because they were highly regarded, military officers also wore mandarin squares on their robes to distinguish rank.
People during the Qing dynasty referred to mandarin squares as p'u fang (squares of rank). These squares were woven on an outer jacket called a p'u-fu which officials wore on their robes. The elaborately embroidered silk squares were made in pairs and attached to the front and back of the p'u-fu. As an official advanced in rank, the squares were replaced by new ones. Beginning in the early 19th century, married officials had mandarin squares made for the robes of their wives. The birds or animals of the couples were designed so that when they sat side by side, the images would symmetrically face one another.
Birds such as the white crane, golden pheasant, peacock, wild goose, silver pheasant, egret, mandarin duck, oriole, quail, and paradise flycatcher were used to denote the ranks of civil officials. A silver pheasant stands at the center of this square indicating that it was worn by a 6th or 7th rank Qing dynasty civil official. Animals, both real and mythical, were chosen for their power, strength and courage on the badges of military officers. Judges and Censorate officials wore the Hsieh-Chai (a mythical animal able to distinguish between right and wrong).
All 8 Buddhist symbols, which include the conch, endless knot, vase, canopy, lotus, umbrella, paired fish, and the wheel of law, appear in this mandarin square. These symbols, as well as the 8 Immortals, became more common during the 19th century.
In the early 19th century, political unrest in China caused the general populous to loose faith in the Emperor and his court. As a result, civil and military officials started to include emblems of luck and good fortune into their mandarin squares. In this artifact, alternating pictures of bats and the Shou (symbol of longevity) appear in the border weavings. Sets of 5, 7, and 9 bats were considered lucky. Other common symbols were pine, cypress, evergreen, bamboo, and fungus, which symbolized long life. Peonies represented riches and honors. Roses symbolized eternal youth. Some squares even sported the Eight Jewels which were symbols of wealth.
Mandarin squares were first used in China under the rule of Khubilai Khan during what is called the Mongol dynasty (1280 - 1368). Khan's high officials and nobles wore patterns of birds or animals on their mandarin squares to show rank and status. After the Khan, later Ming and Qing dynasty Emperors adopted the use of bird and animals in their uniforms. Explicit laws governing the wearing of the various insignias were established. Throughout the dynasties, these rules were slightly altered by imperial decrees.
Changes in Chinese mandarin squares became progressively more common until the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911. By that time, so many new symbols had been introduce into mandarin squares that their original meaning and purpose had diminished. The use of mandarin squares as rank badges stopped after 1911. Following that year, many mandarin squares were discarded or sold to foreign tourist. A few of these later appeared in private and public museum collections.
This Chinese mandarin square is a loan courtesy of Mrs. J. J. Parry, and has been with the Spurlock Museum since 1944.
Learn More:
- Chinese Mandarin Squares (1944.03.0097A)
- Educational module on Chinese Mandarin Squares
Most of the artifacts in Featured Artifact articles are chosen to allow website visitors to explore artifacts that are not on display in the Museum's galleries. Try searching the database or exploring the Virtual Tour to find artifacts on display.