Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms: Clothing

The official ceremonial dress and the straight stole have now become common among the general population. In our current dynasty the Ming Dynasty, 1368–1644, the "cloud stoles" original: 霞帔 Xiápèi and formal robes original: 褙 Bèi; a wide-sleeved outer garment worn over other clothes for titled ladies original: 命婦 Mìngfù; women granted formal noble titles based on the rank of their husbands or sons are all made of dark blue satin fabric.

For the wives of Dukes and Marquises, as well as those of the first and second ranks, the garments feature gold embroidery with patterns of clouds, rosy mists, and long-tailed pheasants original: 翟文 Zháiwén; the zhai is a mythical or ritual pheasant, a high-ranking symbol second only to the phoenix.

For those of the third and fourth ranks, gold embroidery is used with patterns of clouds, rosy mists, and peacocks original: 孔雀文 Kǒngquèwén.

For those of the fifth rank, the embroidery depicts clouds, rosy mists, and mandarin ducks original: 鴛鴦文 Yuānyāngwén; symbols of fidelity, here used to denote a specific middle-rank status.

For the sixth and seventh ranks, the embroidery shows clouds, rosy mists, and paradise flycatchers original: 練鵲文 Liànquèwén; literally "ribbon-bird," recognized by its long, white tail feathers.