Dragon Robe (Mangpao) Worn Dudring the Summer

In traditional China, the change of seasons was a major event, and theemperor would grant fabrics for making summer versions of court robes to high-ranking officials at the beginning of the fifth month in the lunar calendar. Since dragon robes made of heavy silk would have been too got to be worn in the summer, special robes were prepared for the imperial family and courtiers. Court costume thus was divided into winter andsummer wear. Summer dragon robes were made of transparent gauze, allowing ample ventilation. The dragon robe shown here is embroidered in counted stitch and satin stitch on a blue gauze background. As a practical measure, areas that received the greatest wear reinforced: silk patches were attached to the cuffs of the sleeves, and the collar was ,made pf two-ply silk. Among the "precious jewls" depicted between the "standing water" at the hem of the robe are a rhinoceros horn, symbolizing victory; a diamond shape, represinting endurance; and the "wheel of law", and emblem of life and death expressing withes for immortality.