⚠The image is a high-contrast woodblock print with some ink bleeding and speckling. Text on the right edge is partially cut off and has been ignored.

Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms

Utensils, Volume Six Weapons Category

Continued compilation by Wang Siyi, style name Yunmingfu, of Yunjian


Banner	Capture Flag	Streamer	Bell-Banner	Grand Standard	Command Pennant	Signal Streamer	Golden Tally	Stirrup Staff
Fire Signal	Chariot Banner	Falcon Banner	Plain Banner	Imperial Standard	Embroidered Covering	Yellow Command Flag	Sounding Tally	Mace	Ceremonial Staff

This table serves as a visual index for the illustrations that follow in the manuscript. The items listed represent a transition from functional battlefield communication tools to the elaborate ritual regalia of the Ming dynasty imperial court.

Fire Signal Original: Sui (燧). Specifically refers to a torch or beacon used for night signaling, often contrasted with smoke signals used during the day.

Bell-Banner Original: Qi (旂). A specific type of ancient banner with bells attached to the top of the pole, which would ring as the chariot or bearer moved.

Imperial Standard Original: Taichang (太常). The most prestigious of all banners, usually featuring the sun and moon. It symbolized the presence of the Emperor or his direct authority.

Mace Original: Guduo (骨朵). Originally a functional bludgeon with a bone or stone head, by the Ming period it had evolved into a gilded, garlic-shaped ceremonial staff carried by the Imperial Guard (Jinyiwei).

Golden Tally and Sounding Tally Original: Jinjie (金節) and Xiangjie (響節). These were tallies of authority held by envoys. The "Sounding Tally" often featured bells or metal rings to announce the arrival of an official messenger.

Ceremonial Staff Original: Wuzhang (吾杖). Also known as the "Gilded Mace," these were used by palace guards to clear the path during imperial processions and to signify the majesty of the throne.