Stars are one of the twelve chapter patterns.
1. Definition of Twelve Chapter Pattern:
Twelve Chapter Pattern, also known as Twelve Chapters and Twelve Heralds, is a symbol of clothing class in the Chinese imperial era.
Twelve kinds of patterns were painted and embroidered on the robes of emperors and high-ranking officials, including the sun, moon, stars, mountains, dragons, Chinese insects (sometimes divided into two parts: flowers and birds), Zongyi (Before the Southern Song Dynasty, there was a tiger and a monkey), algae, fire, rice (before the Jin Dynasty, there were two chapters of powder and rice), 黼, 黻, etc., commonly known as "Twelve Chapters", actually "Sixteen Chapters" .
The nine-part dress with dragon patterns embroidered on it is called "Gun dress".
Chapter 2 and 12 are rich in connotation:
The sun, moon, and stars are taken to mean their presence; mountains are taken to mean steady and calm; dragons are taken to mean magical and magical. The meaning of change; Hua Chong, beautiful flowers and insect feathers in five colors, very beautiful, take the meaning of literary talent; Zong Yi, take the meaning of worship and filial piety; Zao, take the meaning of clean; Fire, take the meaning of bright .
fenmi means flour and rice to nourish; 黼 means cutting off and being decisive; 黻 means discernment, discernment, turning away from evil and turning to good.
The origin and hierarchy of the Twelve Chapter Pattern:
1. Origin:
The origin of the Twelve Chapter Pattern can be traced back to the period of Emperor Shun, and was used by later generations. , in the Zhou Dynasty, Zhou Gongdan formulated the "Zhou Rites", which stipulated that the three chapters of the sun, moon, and stars should be painted on the flag, and only the nine-chapter pattern should be retained on the clothes, with the dragon as the first chapter, so it was called "Longgun". Later, Emperor Qin Shihuang ascended the throne and abolished the seal system. All sacrificial attire was pure black, which was called "Yuan Xuan". It was not until the Eastern Han Dynasty that the twelve chapters were restored again.
2. Hierarchy
The twelve chapter patterns are the embodiment of the feudal hierarchy. As an important part of the feudal public service system, it has long since disappeared with the Qing Dynasty's policy of shaving hair and changing service.
But after all, the Twelve Chapter Pattern has existed for a long time in ancient China. Therefore, understanding the Twelve Chapter Pattern will help us read ancient books, examine the evolution of ancient Chinese laws and regulations, and understand the rigor and cumbersomeness of the Chinese imperial era. The hierarchical system is still helpful.