A TWELVE-SYMBOL IMPERIAL YELLOW ROBE, JIFU

Robes embroidered with the twelve Imperial symbols are very rare, as they were exclusively reserved for the emperor. The Huangchao liqi tushi, 'Illustrated Precedents for the Ritual Paraphernalia of the Imperial Court', which was enforced in 1766, restricted the use of the Twelve Symbols to the emperor. The symbols imply the notion of Imperial Authority, signifying the Ruler of the Universe. They include the sun, the moon, the axe, the shou character, the millet, the firey weed, dragons and phoenix, green weed, libation cups and the two constellations representing heaven and earth.