Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms: Ceremonial Regulations

Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms: Ceremonial Systems

Diagram 4

Blue Armor Armored Soldier   Armored Soldier       Blue Armor Armored Soldier
Kang Mansion Flag              Jiao Mansion Flag
original: "亢旗" (Kang qi) and "角旗" (Jiao qi). These flags represent the first two "Mansions" or constellations of the Azure Dragon of the East. The use of Blue Armor (青甲) reinforces the association with the element of Wood and the direction East.
    Armored Soldier   Armored Soldier         Armored Soldier

          Commander

Dragon Flag    Dragon Flag        Horn   Horn
The "Dragon Flag" (龍旗) was a standard of high authority. The "Horns" (角) listed here refer to signal instruments used to relay the commander's orders to the flank.

          Earth Flag
          Yellow Armor
The Earth Flag (土旗) and Yellow Armor (黃甲) represent the Center in the Five Elements theory. This unit acts as the core of the formation, around which the directional units (East, South, West, North) revolve.

Dragon Flag    Dragon Flag        Horn   Horn

          Commander

    Armored Soldier   Armored Soldier         Armored Soldier
Kang Mansion Flag              Dou Mansion Flag
The "Dou" (斗) Mansion refers to the first constellation of the Northern quadrant (the Black Tortoise), suggesting this part of the formation transitions from the Eastern flank toward the North.
Blue Armor Armored Soldier   Armored Soldier       Blue Armor Armored Soldier