Front Panel of a Rank Badge for a Censor

Rank badges, always made in pairs, were placed on the front and back of surcoats in order to communicate their wearer’s rank during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing dynasties (1644-1911). Different motifs were regulated by the imperial court, including bird motifs used only for civil officials, while beasts were used for military officials. The hierarchy of ranks within these categories was represented by specific birds and beasts. This rank badge depicts a xiezhi, a mythical creature composed of a deer-like body with one horn on its head. Renowned for its ability to discern right from wrong, the xiezhi serves as a symbol of justice that triumphs over evil. In the imperial court, it represented the role of the imperial censor, tasked with overseeing the ethical behaviour of officials.