T-shaped robe with yellow, ornate dragon patterns and intricate symbolic patterns woven into the fabric at the hem, cuffs, and sleeves.

Apricot Yellow Silk Tapestry Weave Twelve Symbol Court Dragon Robe for an Heir Apparent, 1875-1908

Orange silk and metal-wrapped thread tapestry weave
Mactaggart Art CollectionUniversity of Alberta MuseumsGift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart2005.5.13
Lowercase I in a black picture frame that links to this work of art on the UAlberta Museums Search Site.

This dragon robe contains the Twelve Symbols of Imperial Authority, which highlight the virtue of the emperor during the Qing Dynasty. These symbols were controlled and could only be used by the emperor or those he designated.

The twelve symbols are placed throughout the dragon robe: the sun and moon are on the shoulders; stars, mountains, dragons, bird, axe, and the fu symbol, are located on the upper torso; cups, seaweed, flames, and grain are located on the lower part of the robe.

This robe is made of Chinese tapestry (kè sī), and the colour (apricot yellow) indicates the importance of its wearer; an heir apparent of the emperor.