Family Portrait (c. 1848-1858) by unknownUniversity of Alberta Museums
"Five Sons Passed the Imperial Examinations" (wuzi dengke) is a phrase that highlighted a remarkable accomplishment: each son in a family successfully passing the imperial examinations and earning a position within the civil administration of dynastic China.
The men in this portrait are the honourable sons of a family that enjoyed the honour of having multiple relatives working as officials. The visual indicator of their success lies within their dress – specifically the square rank badge on the front of their navy blue surcoat
Rank badges were worn by both civil and military officials in the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). The square section of highly-decorated fabric is a visual representation of social order, and relates to Confucian ideals of hierarchies, filial piety, and transmission of knowledge.
The nine ranks of civil officials were identified by various birds. This man wears a fifth rank badge with a silver pheasant.
The nine ranks of military officials were identified by various beasts. This first rank military officer wears a qilin - a mythical beast.
Front and Back Panels of a Rank Badge for a First-Rank Civil Official Front Panel of a Rank Badge for a First-Rank Civil Official (c. 1736-1795) by unknownUniversity of Alberta Museums
Civil Rank Badges
Rank badges worn in the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) are crafted according to the order of the universe. In the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), rank badges were regulated by the Huangchao liqi tushi (“The Regulations for the Ceremonial Paraphernalia of the [Qing] Dynasty”)
Central Figure
The center of the badge has the identifying bird - in this case, we see a white bird with a red cap - a crane. This first rank civil official may have held any of the following administrative positions: Grand Secretary in the Forbidden City, Grand Master, or Instructor to Emperor
The Sun Disk
The sun disk may represent the emperor, or may refer to the ancient proverb “aim at the sun and rise high”, which relates to aspirations for career advancement. The surrounding clouds are ruyi-shaped, which is an auspicious wish-granting symbol.
Waves
This badge has multicoloured standing water waves on the left, and blue cresting wave caps on the right.
Front Panel of a Rank Badge for a Second Rank Military Official (c. 1821-1850) by unknownUniversity of Alberta Museums
Military Rank Badges
In the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), rank badges for military officials shared many qualities with civil officials’ badges, including size, shape, composition, and placement. This badge was made for a second rank military official.
Central Figure
The beast is a lion - similar to the mythical lions that guard doors to fend off evil spirits. The military official that wore this badge could have been a Banner Captain General, Vice Commander-in-Chief, or Brigade General.
On rank badges, lions tend to look similar to bears, which is found on fifth rank badges. The lion has a curly mane and tail. The bear is also surrounded by flames of enlightenment, but has mostly straight hair on its mane and tail with curled ends.
Front Panel of a Rank Badge for a Second Rank Military Official (c. 1821-1850) by unknownUniversity of Alberta Museums
Auspicious Symbols
Bats fly throughout the sky, representing good fortune due to the homophonic nature of the Mandarin word for “bat” (蝠, fú) sounding like the word for "blessings" (福, fú).
For more information, check out this list of objects that are included in the Birds & Beasts: Wearing Honour and Order in the Qing Dynasty exhibition.
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