A Man's Robe Made of Zhangrong Velvet with Lotus and Bat Designs

This was the robe of a Tibetan nobleman. It is emboridered with dragons and lotus flowers to symbolize good forturne. The clothing of Tibetan nobles was made with fine materials and intricate patterns. Robes embroidered with dragons, water, fish, or cloud are usually for officials to wear during meetings at the royal court and during the rituals for important festivals. The ones embroidered with lotus flowers and phoenixes were common clothes for officials during the New Year and other festivals. Silk robes with round flower patterns are for the nobles who live in the area of Shigatse. Tibetan robes are very loose, and are usually worn with a belt tied around the waist and with one sleeve thrown over the shoulder. Although it is long enough to almost reach the ground, these robes are usually worn knee-length, with the excess pulled up by the belt in order to form a pouch that can be used to carry things like wooden bowls.