Peony Motifs
for Daily Life

OUTSIDE THE FORBIDDEN CITY, imperial court fashion influenced textiles used and worn in the daily life of upper-class people. The form and symbolism of the peony was also popular amongst the urban population, and artisans working outside of imperial workshops who capitalized on this by adding the motif to everyday objects. Peonies adorned officials’ robes, chenyi or informal robes, and household furnishings. These three rank badges, which date from the Ming and Qing dynasties, incorporate birds—phoenixes and cranes—with peonies to advertise the wearer’s rank. Although these badges contain an official administrative purpose, they still feature advanced textile production, thoughtful decoration, and auspicious symbolism of blessings and luck.

FAST FACTS

In traditional Chinese medicine, peony bark has been used to treat a wide variety of health issues, from managing pain to autoimmune disorders to anxiety and depression.

Square tapestry of two red and blue phoenixes surrounded by two red geometric peonies against red, yellow, blue and green clouds.
Back Panel of a Rank Badge, 1368-1644; silk tapestry weave; University of Alberta Museums; Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart; 2005.5.229
Square tapestry with two white pheasant birds, surrounded by red and pink peonies and green leaves. Positioned above green land and blue rocks against a gold background.
Back Panel of a Rank Badge for a Fifth Rank Civil Official, date unknown; tapestry weave; University of Alberta Museum;, Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart; 2005.5.233
Square tapestry of white crane with red spot on its head above multicoloured stripes, blue waves, pink peonies, blue trees, and rocks. Red circle top left corner surrounded by multicoloured abstract clouds.
Detail of Back Panel of a Rank Badge for a First-Rank Civil Official: Crane, 1736-1795; gold-wrapped silk and multicoloured silk floss tapestry with wood frame; University of Alberta Museums; Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart; 2005.5.347.2



The influence of peonies also extended into domestic spaces, where peonies were both cultivated in decorated ceramic vases and applied as decoration on soft furnishings. Peonies in vases is also a popular design motif that contains a combined symbolic meaning of wealth and honour with peace and safety (fugui ping’an). In this Framed Silk Tapestry Weave Panel, a central vase with three peony blossoms is highlighted, flanked by lotus blossoms in two vases, representing purity, and two floating treasure vases from the Eight Auspicious Buddhist symbols.

Framed tapestry of three vases decorated with flowers and dragons holding pink lotus blossoms and peonies. Two vases in either upper corner. Set against a blue background.
Detail from Framed Silk Tapestry Weave Panel, date unknown; silk tapestry weave with metal-wrapped silk threads; University of Alberta Museums; Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart; 2005.5.417



Another example, the Red Silk Gauze Robe for a Woman, is patterned with peony blossoms and butterflies against a red background and trimmed with manufactured floral ribbon and black embroidered gauze. This late Qing garment demonstrates the commercialization of clothing at the end of the nineteenth century, in which more of the urban population could afford to participate in fashion trends through garments made in commercial workshops, ribbons, and decorated sleeve bands, depending on their budget.

A close-up section of a red robe. The robe is embroidered with pink and purple peonies, green leaves, and multicoloured butterflies.
Detail of Red Silk Gauze Robe for a Woman, ca. 1890; red silk gauze embroidered with silk and edged with black silk embroidered gauze; University of Alberta Museums; Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart; 2005.5.452

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Peony Motifs
for Daily Life