Official's Rank Badge

During the Qing [ching] Dynasty (AD 1644-1911) in China, government officials were organized into ranks, and each rank had its own badge. Civilian officials wore badges with birds that represented virtues like loyalty and dignity, while military badges featured lions, tigers, and other symbols of ferocity and bravery. A civilian official of the first and highest rank wore this badge decorated with a red-capped crane, representing his diligence and audience with the emperor.