Dragon Robes home page Formal Court Robe (chao-fu)

China Formal Court Robe (chao-fu) Embroidery on silk, ca. 1875-1900 Qing dynasty 51" H Gift of Mrs. John Sheafe Douglas 1954: 24 Central dragon, upper section, back of robe in cloud-filled heaven

This cheng mang, or full-faced, four-clawed dragon, appears on both the front and back of the dragon robe. Embroidered in green, purple, and gold silk the dragon hovers in the clouds, protecting the green pearl with its tail and body.

On either side of the dragon’s head, and slightly apart from it, can be seen the canopy, a symbol of the emperor in his role as protector of all living beings, and one of the Eight Buddhist symbols of good fortune.

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