Ceremonial Attire and Regalia of Imperial Consorts

original: "皇妃冠服" (Huángfēi Guānfú). These regulations apply to the high-ranking consorts of the Emperor, positioned just below the Empress.

The regulations of our current [Ming] Dynasty entirely follow the systems established during the Tang and Song dynasties. The crown is decorated with nine Hui pheasants and four phoenixes.
original: "翬" (huī). The Hui is a five-colored pheasant; while the Empress uses dragons and phoenixes, the Consort's rank is designated by these specific birds.
There are nine floral hairpins, and the number of small flowers matches the number of large floral sprays. The crown features two "temple wings" and nine inlaid floral ornaments.
original: "博鬢" (bóbìn). These are the wing-like panels that extend from the sides of the crown near the temples.

For the robes, she wears the Pheasant Robe, which features a deep blue base material.
original: "翟衣" (zháiyī). While the Empress wears the "Yiyi," the Consorts wear the "Zhaiyi," which is similar but follows a different hierarchy of decoration.
Patterns of pheasants are arranged in nine ranks across the robe and sleeves. Beneath this is a blue gauze inner garment with an axe-patterned collar.
original: "黼領" (fǔ lǐng). The axe pattern represents the wearer's ability to distinguish right from wrong and make firm decisions.
The hems and borders are made of red and light blue silk gauze. The knee-cover matches the color of the lower garment, adorned with embroidered patterns of paired pheasants in two ranks. The collar edges are trimmed with silk gauze. The large sash matches the color of the robe. This ensemble includes a jade-encrusted leather belt, blue socks, ceremonial shoes, and various decorative pendants and ribbons. This attire is worn for all major events, such as receiving titles of investiture, assisting in imperial sacrifices, and attending grand court audiences.

For the Luan-bird and Phoenix crown ornaments, as well as bracelets and bangles, materials such as gold, jade, pearls, precious stones, and kingfisher feathers of various colors are used.
original: "鸞鳳" (luánfèng). The Luan is a mythological bird associated with virtue, often paired with the phoenix in the regalia of noblewomen.
The Round-collared Robes are embroidered with gold luan-birds and phoenixes, though yellow is not used.
original: "團衫" (tuánshān). This refers to the more comfortable, round-collared casual robe. Yellow was strictly reserved for the Emperor and Empress.
The waistbands are made of gold, jade, or rhinoceros horn. These garments are worn when in "leisure residence."
original: "燕居" (yànjū). This refers to the private, daily life of the consort within the palace, as opposed to formal ritual life.