Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms, Volume 8: Rituals 5

Page 5

The Directorate of West Palace Eunuchs original: "Xinei shijian," an office of eunuch officials responsible for managing specific palace rituals arranges the following:

The Crown Prince’s Capping Seat A ritual seat where the Prince sits to receive his ceremonial headgear, marking his transition to adulthood is set in the southeast of the Hall, facing west. The Sweet Wine Seat original: "Lixi," a seat for the ritual partaking of ceremonial wine is placed atop the western steps, facing south.

Curtains and screens are hung within the eastern corridor, and a mattress and seat are placed within these curtains. Furthermore, a curtain is hung outside the corridor.

The Directorate of Imperial Accoutrements original: "Yuyong Jian," the palace department responsible for the Emperor's personal belongings and ceremonial robes displays the ritual garments inside the curtains, with the collars facing east and the top sections oriented toward the north. These include:

• The Ceremonial Robe with Nine Symbols original: "Gunfu jiuzhang," a formal dragon robe decorated with nine specific cosmic symbols like the sun, moon, and mountains.
• The Far-Wandering Crown original: "Yuanyou Guan," a specific style of crown worn by the Crown Prince on major occasions.
• The Crimson Gauze Robe.
• The Folded-up Cap original: "Zheshang Jin," a black cap with rising wings at the back.

The Crimson Gauze Robe, the black-and-madder ritual skirt, and the rhinoceros-horn hairpin—these items are placed together in a box located to the south of the robes. A comb is placed in its own box further to the south.

The Master of the Vessels original: "Sizun," the official in charge of ritual wine containers fills the side-vessel with sweet wine, adds a ladle and a cover, and places it to the south of the Sweet Wine Seat. A stand is placed to the east of the vessel, with two ceremonial cups resting upon it.

The food attendants fill the ritual dishes and place them to the north of the vessels. All attendant officials stand at their assigned positions.

The Nine-Tasseled Crown original: "Mian," the most formal ritual headgear, featuring a flat board with strings of beads, the Far-Wandering Crown with eighteen beams, and the Folded-up Cap are held in separate boxes. The attendant officials each hold a box and stand to the west of the steps, facing east and ordered from north to south.

At the First Alert A rhythmic drumming signaling the start of the ceremony, the Ushers urge the civil and military officials to put on their full court attire. At the Second Alert, the Ushers lead the civil and military officials to assemble and stand in order according to their rank.