Han Dynasty Emperor in Imperial Robes 汉帝冕服


Han Dynasty Emperor by Yang Yang


Mianfu (Hanzi: 冕服, pinyin: miǎnfú), literally means "Coronation Costume", is a kind of Chinese clothing worn by emperors, princes and kings during imperial China, from the Shang Dynasty until Ming Dynasty.


Mianfu is the highest level of formal dress worn by emperors and royal family in special ceremonial events such as coronation, morning audience, ancestral rites, worship, new year's audience and other ceremonial activities.


TRAPPINGS OF POWER, A VISUAL HISTORY


Han dynasty relief depicting legendary Chinese rulers. Shennong (upper left) "The Divine Farmer" the mythical agrarian God of ancient China. The Yellow Emperor (upper right) Yu the Great (lower left) Jie of Xia dynasty (lower right) the corrupt final king of Xia. Despite the fact that the fashion was attributed to those ancient dynasties it should be remembered that the Han used the basis of late Zhou fashion as a reference for those figures- since the distance between the Shang and the Han were separated by nearly a millennium of history.

Han dynasty relief depicting Shang dynasty and Zhou dynasty figures. Despite the fact that the fashion was attributed to those ancient dynasties it should be remembered that the Han used the basis of late Zhou fashion as a reference for those figures- since the distance between the Shang and the Han were separated by nearly a millennium of history. King Tang of Shang (upper left) depicted in court robes. His hat is flat- and would eventually became the basis for the Emperor's cap of later centuries. 


His robe is made of white silk with black rims and trims. He also wears black courtly shoes. Ceremonial robes- befitting that of priest kings are depicted on the right. Symbols of power (below) are prominent displayed on the robe. Because of the Shang kings were also shamanistic priestly kings they also performed many ceremonial duties, including rituals to the heaven and conducting sacrifices, organizing feasts and lighting ceremonial vessels etc.

Zhou dynasty noble's robes and King's robes, silk mesh hat and an elaborate sash are featured. The outer wear for the nobles could be quite elaborate. On top of the silk they also wore precious leather made from white kid deer. On the right we see the ceremonial robes of the most senior ranks of the Zhou royal family.

Zhou Dynasty King's courtly attires and ceremonial robes. 

THE AGE OF GREAT LORDS: 
SPRING AND AUTUMN PERIOD, WARRING STATES PERIOD


Clothing of Zhou Nobility: after the disastrous death of King You of Zhou and the relocation of the Zhou capital from the west to the east to Louyang, Zhou royal power slowly unraveled and was passed on from the Ji clan to that of the feudal lords. Over time, these ambitious lords became the sole rulers of their domains and only paid nominal lip service to the royal court in the ensuing centuries. Leather robes for the high lords: On the upper left, we see the leather robe of a high Zhou lord. The robes are made from precious white kid deers and on them are jade that designated his rank. Dukes of the royal families are marked with 9 jades, Marquis are marked with 7 jades, Vicounts had 5 jades, in descending order etc. Further distinctions are also color coded.


 In upper right we see that robes of a scholar- attendant class- Shi 士, the shi were highly educated servants and served as courtiers, advisors, strategists, and in times- ministers for their lords. Many of the most remarkable minds of the conflicts of during the Zhou came from this class, from Laozi, Mencius, Sun Tzu, to Confucius. Lastly, we have the Zhou noble's courtly robe.  


Above: Zhou Kings, Princes, and Dukes of the royal clan in ceremonial robes. 



THE TWELVE SYMBOLS OF POWER


The Twelve Ornaments (Chinese: 十二章; pinyin: Shí'èr zhāng) are a group of ancient Chinese symbols and designs that are considered highly auspicious. They were employed in the decoration of textile fabrics in ancient China, which signified authority and power, and were embroidered on vestments of state. 


The Emperor's Mianfu were frequently emblazoned with them. The tradition of Chinese emperors acting as priestly kings blessed with shamanic powers dates as far back as the Shang dynasty- from when they were seen as Tianzi 天子, or "Sons of Heaven."




The Mianfu of Emperor Kōmei, the father of Japanese Emperor Meiji. 




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Comments

Der said…
Shang to Ming? I understand the foreign customs and costume of the Manchu, but surely the Xia dynasty before the Shang and indeed the Three Sovereigns and Five Lords before the Xia shared the same customs ??

And the Shang rulers called themselves 'Sons of Heaven'? they didn't call themselves 'King' like the Zhou?
Dragon's Armory said…
Well, seeing as how the Shang is the one dynasty that we have indisputable proof of its existence, it is proper to say that it began with them. Although I think the Xia was a historical dynasty- right now we can only refer to their analogue in the region, the Erlitou culture (1900 – c. 1500 BC) that existed in the region in the area that was ascribed to the Xia. They were indeed a historical culture that did exist, but as they have no writings that we know of, we don't know much about their organization and history. What is true- however is that they were a very complex agrarian culture that had organized chiefdoms and planted many different crops. They also constructed palaces that looks remarkablly like the architecture of later Shang palaces.

They did, but they were also priestly kings as well who served shamanistic rituals.
Der said…
Thanks for the response, very informative as always.

Most people know the story of 'imperial' China but the pre-imperial history of China is just as long and equally as fascinating I think, and made up of myths and the Three Dynasties of Xia, Shang and Zhou. I believe in the orthodox version of Chinese history, written by Sima Chien, more and more archaeological findings prove the Grand Historian of the Han was writing history and not just fanciful stories, this includes all the history before the Zhou period. I think Erlitou is indeed the Xia Dynasty, and that there was a Great Flood that was tamed by Yu the Great, fortunately for the Chinese people of the time, Yu didn't just build an Ark and save only his family and a few animals LOL!
流云飞袖 said…
Qing-feng emperor(庆丰帝) Xi jinping should be wearing this.
流云飞袖 said…
Do you know 皇なつき(Natsuki Sumeragi)?
Her work is also great.
Ect:中国帝王図,you should see it.
Dragon's Armory said…
I am only tangentially familiar with her artworks but Oh mine these are freaking awesome.
Thanks man!!!