Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms: Utensils and Equipment, Volume 16

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According to the dictionaries, the term chang Original: chǎng (氅). While modern Chinese often uses this character for a "cloak," in ancient ritual contexts, it refers to a pennant or banner adorned with feathers. refers to bird feathers. The Tang Dynasty regulations stipulated that each guard unit was to establish various colored feather pennants. The Explication of Names states they are called tong (meaning towering), for their appearance is indeed towering and lush.

The Rites of Zhou An ancient work of ritual theory dating back to the mid-2nd century BCE. records that these were embroidered using yak tail hair and were attached to the top of a chuang Original: chuáng (幢), a tall, cylindrical ceremonial banner or Buddhist pillar.. It was not until the Jin Dynasty 266–420 CE that the "feather-covered banner" first appeared.

The command pennant Original: huī (麾). This refers specifically to the signal flags used by generals to direct troops. originated with the Yellow Emperor. The Comprehensive Compendium Original: Tōngdiǎn (通典), an institutional history of China compiled by Du You in the 8th century. states: "The Yellow Emperor mobilized his troops and established five types of flags and five types of command pennants." These are signal banners; their appearance is fluttering and flowing.

The Crimson Imperial Procession Lǔbǔ (鹵簿) — The formal arrangement of the Emperor's carriage, guards, and ceremonial equipment during a public outing. of the Tang Dynasty utilized them; their specific design and dimensions are detailed more fully in the section on Ceremonial Regalia.