The Collected Illustrations of the Three Powers

Clothing, Volume Three

Page Three

The Records of the Tang original: 唐志 Tang Zhi; likely referring to the "Treatise on Chariots and Clothing" in the Old Book of Tang or New Book of Tang state that Ma Zhou Ma Zhou (601–648) was a prominent chancellor of the Tang Dynasty known for his reforms in governance and ritual attire took the "Deep Robe" original: 深衣 Shenyi; a traditional one-piece garment where the tunic and skirt are sewn together, symbolizing moral integrity made of cloth from the Three Dynasties original: 三代 Sandai; the semi-mythical golden age of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties and, based on its design, added a horizontal border original: 襴 lan and a hem original: 裾 ju to the bottom. For this reason, it was named the Bordered Robe original: 襴衫 Lanshan.

It was established as the formal attire for high-ranking scholars. The robes worn by examination candidates original: 舉子 juzi; students who had passed local exams and were eligible for the imperial civil service examinations today are precisely this style of garment.