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Dragon Robe for an Empress of China



Key Ideas:

Dragon Robe for an Empress of China
Dragon Robe for an Empress of China
1821-50 (Ch'ing dynasty)
Embroidered silk, gold thread
The John R. Van Derlip Fund

Key Ideas
Story
Background
Discussion Questions
China
  • In Chinese mythology the dragon has the power to bring rain.

  • The dragon frequently appears on Chinese court robes as a SYMBOL of the emperor's power to mediate between heaven and earth.

  • In keeping with the strict dress codes of the Ch'ing (ching) dynasty, the color, cut, and symbolic decoration of this empress's dragon robe indicate that its wearer is royalty.
Key Ideas Story Background Discussion Questions
 
 

 

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