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卷102 志七十七 舆服一

Volume 102 Treatises 77: Carriages and Dress 1

Chapter 102 of 清史稿 · Draft History of Qing
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1
Treatise 77
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輿
Carriages and Dress I
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輿輿輿輿
The Emperor's Five Chariots, Imperial Palanquins and Litters, the Empress's Carriages, the Empress Dowager's Carriages—with an appendix on carriages for the Imperial Noble Consort and those of lower rank
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輿輿輿
Carriages for Princes and Below, for Princess Consorts of Princes and Below, for Officials Outside the Capital, and Commoners (appendix)
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輿
Carriages for Titled Women
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沿 簿 沿 仿
Ever since the court of Yu adorned itself in patterned brocade, ritual institutions took shape and the image of rule in flowing robes was fixed. How chariots and garments were allotted in turn made plain the enduring ritual canon. The Xia favored fine ceremonial caps and the Shang grand chariots—each age paired refinement and plain substance in its own way. By the Zhou, rulers looked back to the two preceding dynasties as their guide. The Master of Chariots kept the roads in order, while the Directors of Garments and of Standards each held their own charge. Each fell under its own specialist officer, so that ritual was clear and every requisite object was in place. From the Qin and Han onward, every dynasty had its own variations on the same theme. Ranks and categories multiplied endlessly, and earlier chapters of this history record them in full. In early Ming the wooden chariot was used for suburban sacrifices—a preference for plainness over ornament that is itself admirable. Qing's founding Taizu rose in the eastern borderlands, pressing distant campaigns while still clad for war. Taizong took the throne and established the capital in Liaodong. As early as the sixth year of Tiancong he ordered ritual officials to codify ceremonial guards, mindful of how the Jin and Yuan had erred by changing dress and forgetting their forebears. National dress and headgear kept to the old Manchu forms without exception. They were not to forget the ancestral statutes, but to display them for generations yet to come. When Shizu crossed the Pass and brought the Central Realm under rule, military glory was secured and civil institutions steadily flourished. The Kangxi and Yongzheng reigns saw one new regulation after another. Court protocol and state ceremony had already taken luminous form. Even Gaozong of Tang was surpassed, for the ritual of dress could be carried on intact. Rule enjoyed an age of radiant peace, and Confucian scholars were called to serve in succession. Academies were founded for the great comprehensive histories, and archaic script texts were gathered and edited. The five ceremonial chariots were renumbered to match the Zhou Offices. Scholars weighed antiquity against the present and produced illustrated compendia of ritual vessels. Imperial transport alone saw a great many new specifications added. Never had a single dynasty's ritual code reached such fullness as this. Afterward, court and country alike kept to precedent, and for the most part no one ventured extravagant revisions. Having reviewed the various regulations, we record them in this chapter. The section on imperial halberd guards and escorts is treated in an appendix. In the Guangxu and Xuantong era, modern navies and armies took shape. Flags, uniforms, and insignia changed overnight, and the old order vanished at a stroke. These matters are covered in the Military Treatises and are not repeated here. Seals, imperial treasures, stamps, and tallies exist to authenticate authority. Dragon, tortoise, insect, and bird motifs marked the knobs, and each rank had its own seal script. Dynasty after dynasty handed them down, and all alike depended on fixed law. Their prescribed forms are set out in full, each grade observing its proper distinction. Once maritime trade opened, diplomatic relations with foreign states became paramount. Courtesies were exchanged in kind, and orders of merit were fashioned after foreign models. Titles and ranks were carefully distinguished, so that wearers might be honored accordingly. By the dynasty's end new insignia multiplied, including noble badges that had scarcely been in use. Matters of that sort are passed over here in brief.
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殿 輿 輿 輿輿輿輿 輿 輿輿 輿
Early Qing still followed Ming practice: the jade chariot, great chariot, great and small horse palanquins, and the fragrant step palanquin were collectively known as the Five Palanquins. On major court days they were displayed east of the Gate of Supreme Harmony. The cool step palanquin, great ceremonial sedan, great sedan, bright sedan, and folding bright sedan were likewise under the Left Office's charge. For the winter-solstice grand sacrifice and the summer-solstice sacrifice at the Square Mound, the emperor rode the cool step palanquin, which on hall-audience days was also stationed east of the Gate of Supreme Harmony. In Qianlong 7 it was decreed that for major sacrifices the emperor would leave the palace in a litter and transfer to a palanquin at the Gate of Supreme Harmony. After the rite, litters were kept ready for the return to the palace. In Qianlong 8 the great chariot became the gold chariot, the great horse palanquin the elephant chariot, the small horse palanquin the leather chariot, and the fragrant step palanquin the wood chariot, while the jade chariot was unchanged—these Five Chariots were entrusted to the Imperial Procession Guard. At grand court assemblies they were arrayed outside the Meridian Gate. In Qianlong 13 an edict mandated use of the Five Chariots, starting with that year's southern suburban sacrifice. A new jade palanquin was built and the cool step palanquin redesignated the gold palanquin—the Two Palanquins. The great ceremonial sedan became the ritual litter, the folding bright sedan the light step litter, and the great sedan the step litter—the Three Litters. The jade palanquin served the southern suburb; the gold palanquin the northern suburb, Imperial Ancestral Temple, and Altars of Soil and Grain; the ritual litter all lesser rites from the sun cults through the ploughing ceremony. At grand court assemblies all were displayed together outside the Gate of Supreme Harmony. On tours the emperor rode the light step litter; for ordinary departures and returns, the step litter. Imperial sons received their carriages only after enfeoffment. What follows is drawn from the Illustrated Ritual Implements: regulations fixed before Qianlong are noted as the original system and appended by category for consultation.
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宿 竿 竿
The emperor's jade chariot was of wood finished in cinnabar lacquer, with a round canopy atop a square frame, standing one zhang, two chi, and one cun high. The canopy rose three chi and one cun, was trimmed in green, and bore four round jade plaques. It was crowned by a gilded round cap one chi, two cun, and nine fen across, borne on openwork gilded cloud eaves eight chi and one cun long, with three tiers of gilded cloud panels applied beneath. Three tiers of green satin curtains hung below, embroidered alternately with golden clouds, dragons, and feather motifs. Four bands of gold-embroidered green satin were fastened to the frame. Four pillars, each six chi, seven cun, and nine fen tall and five chi six cun apart, were painted with golden clouds and dragons. Vermilion curtains hung at each door, three to every side. The platform measured eight chi five cun by eight chi four cun and was ringed by vermilion rails inlaid with gold. Floral carpets were laid around the interior within the rails. At the center stood the cloud-and-dragon throne, one chi three cun high and two chi nine cun wide. Each of the two wheels had eighteen openwork spokes finished in gold. Two axles and shafts, two zhang, two chi, nine cun, and five fen long, passed through the wheels, their ends capped with gilded dragon heads and tails. The square frame measured one zhang, one chi, one cun, and five fen on a side, with an overall width of eight chi four cun. Behind rose the Grand Constant banner with twelve pennants of green satin: its cords bore the sun, moon, and five planets; each pennant the twenty-eight lunar mansions; the lining golden dragons throughout; and five-colored tassels hung below. Its pole was bundled bamboo lacquered cinnabar red, with a halberd fitting on the left and a dragon head on the right, five vermilion pennants attached, and green tassels hanging down. Five recessed steps served for mounting; the rails on either side were cinnabar lacquer with gold trim. A single elephant drew it, harnessed with vermilion velvet traces. When on display, two ceremonial horses supported the shafts on straight cinnabar-lacquered poles tipped with copper at both ends. Under the original regulations the jade chariot matched the great chariot in size. The upper platform, pearl-drip board, spokes, rims, hub, axle caps, and all harness cords matched the great chariot. It lacked only the twelve lattice panels beneath the platform and the eight side panels that adorned the great chariot. The two front pillars of the chariot pavilion bore ascending dragons in gilded powder; pillar, railing, and seat dimensions, door lattices, panels, and the cushioned seat within all followed the great chariot. Only the screen differed slightly: five agarwood-toned, gold-traced cloud-dragons above; three on the three lattice panels behind; and cloud panels below in matching number—modest variations from the great chariot. The canopy top, round plate, celestial wheel, pavilion fittings, Grand Constant banner, mounting ladder, and walking horses all matched the great chariot.
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耀 竿竿竿 竿竿 穿
The gold chariot, too, was drawn by a single elephant. It had a round canopy and square frame in yellow trim, bearing four round gold plaques. Three tiers of yellow satin curtains hung below. Four bands of yellow satin were fastened to the frame. Behind rose a great banner with twelve pennants, each embroidered with a golden dragon. All other features followed the jade chariot. The gold chariot took its name when the great chariot was redesignated. Originally the great chariot stood one zhang, three chi, nine cun, and five fen high and eight chi, two cun, and five fen wide. Its upper platform bore front and rear rails, goose-wing extensions, and four hanging ruyi ornaments. Beneath the pearl-drip board two shafts, each over two zhang, two chi, and nine cun long, were lacquered cinnabar and capped with gilded copper dragon heads and tails set with scale-shaped plates. Below the platform sat the lower box framed in cinnabar lacquer: twelve lattice panels fore and aft on a blue ground painted with five-colored clouds and cranes; eight side panels, blue above and green below, each bearing six beasts and six birds. Two wheels on a shared axle, each with eighteen cinnabar-lacquered spokes and rims studded with gilded copper floral plates. Each wheel had a hub faced with gilded copper lotus-petal disks. Iron pins passed through the axle ends, capped with gilded copper dragon-head tube fittings. Red velvet harness cords were wound about the axle center. The chariot pavilion stood six chi, seven cun, and nine fen high, with four pillars each five chi, eight cun, and four fen long. The railing base rose nine cun and five fen; front and rear pillars showed gilded cloud-dragons above landscapes below. Each door measured five chi, one cun, and nine fen high by two chi, four cun, and nine fen wide. Side doors were two chi, two cun, and five fen wide, with twelve agarwood-toned, gold-traced floral panels set around the upper frame. Fore and aft on each side stood two cinnabar-lacquered lattice doors with bright panels, all studded with gilded copper floral plates. Lattice panels were bound with yellow cord; behind them a cinnabar screen bore five agarwood-toned, gold-traced dragons on its upper panels. Above it sat a cinnabar panel with a single gilded cloud-dragon. The middle three panels bore three agarwood-toned, gold-traced cloud-dragons. The lower three panels had matching gold-traced cloud panels. Behind the screen, the upper three panels showed three cinnabar dragons in gold. Below them came matching gilded cloud panels. The middle three panels bore four cinnabar dragons in gold. Next came agarwood-toned, gold-traced cloud panels in matching number. The lower three panels had agarwood-toned cloud panels to match. All were studded with gilded copper floral plates. Inside, yellow cord framed a cinnabar border around a soft seat with four yellow-velvet cords bearing lotus pendants and stones, covered by floral carpets, rush mats, and red brocaded gold cushions. A cinnabar chair bore one agarwood-toned, gold-traced dragon on its back, a cloud panel below, and a fortune-longevity panel, with yellow brocaded gold back, cushion, and skirt complete. Yellow gauze curtains encircled the pavilion, though yellow cord gauze might be used instead. Outside hung ten red curtains edged in green brocade, each with two yellow draw-cords and brass rings. Canopy and round plate together rose three chi and one cun, crowned by a gilded copper crouching dragon on a lotus base one chi, two cun, and nine fen high, with four yellow velvet cords from the apex. The plate rose two cun, lacquered cinnabar above. Its outer faces were agarwood-toned, traced in gold clouds with green trim. Inside the canopy, gilded brackets bore a cinnabar treasured canopy on eight arms, veiled in yellow brocade—the Yellow Canopy. Center and four sides bore nine five-colored embroidered cloud-dragons. Three cinnabar heaven-wheel tiers carried eighty-one gilded dragon-and-leaf panels. Five-colored clouds painted the spaces between tiers, with matching lining panels. Brass fittings ringed the plate below; above hung three tiers of golden brocade eaves, eighty-one folds each, embroidered with five-colored cloud-dragons. Green brocade net bands at each corner bore three five-colored ascending dragons. Round plate corners linked to the seat with yellow climbing cords and gilded wooden fish. Before the pavilion stood two corner rail panels to left and right; behind, one straight panel with corner rails—all cinnabar red. Inlaid gilded dragons alternated with five-colored clouds. Twelve pillars on three panels each bore a gilded crouching dragon and five-colored lotus cap. Floral carpets and rush mats lined the interior rails. Behind rose two Grand Constant banners of yellow cloud satin, each with twelve pennants. Each pennant bore an ascending dragon inside and out. Two cinnabar bamboo poles: the left banner showed sun, moon, and Big Dipper at the waist, with a gilded dragon head atop. The right banner bore the fu character at the waist, capped with a gilded halberd. Each pole bore two gilded bells, twelve red tassels, a gilded canopy, and green cord pendants below. One cinnabar mounting ladder studded with gilded copper floral plates. Two cinnabar walking-horse frames, gilded and pierced with yellow velvet cords. It carried a yellow canopy coat, oiled-silk raincoat, red-oiled folding ladder, and red-oiled support fork. Gilded treasured vases, lotus seats, saddles, bridles, and felt covers came in two sets each.
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The elephant chariot used four harness horses and six outriders, with harmony bells, a round canopy, and square frame. It stood one zhang, one chi, and three cun high; the canopy two chi, six cun, and five fen, in red trim with four ivory round plaques. Three tiers of red satin curtains hung below, with four red satin bands on the frame. Four pillars, each six chi, four cun, and nine fen tall, stood five chi eight cun apart. The platform measured one zhang and five cun by nine chi and one cun, ringed in vermilion rails. Three shafts, each two zhang, two chi, and three cun long, joined a frame one zhang five cun wide and nine chi one cun across. Behind rose the Great Scarlet banner with twelve pennants, each bearing a golden phoenix. All other features matched the jade chariot. The elephant chariot was redesignated from the great horse palanquin. Originally the great horse palanquin stood one zhang, two chi, five cun, and nine fen high and eight chi, nine cun, and five fen wide. Two shafts, each two zhang, five cun, and nine fen long. Its platform, pearl-drip board, wheels, axles, and harness matched the great chariot. It likewise lacked the twelve fore-and-aft and eight side lattice panels of the great chariot. The pavilion stood six chi, four cun, and nine fen high, in cinnabar lacquer. Four pillars, each five chi, five cun, and four fen long. The railing matched the pavilion height, with twelve agarwood-toned cloud panels above and below. Doors measured five chi and nine fen high by two chi, four cun, and five fen wide. Side doors were two cun narrower. Front and sides had two lattice doors each, the rear three—all cinnabar, studded with gilded floral plates. Lattice centers were bound with yellow cord. Inside was a soft seat covered with plain mats. All else followed the great chariot. Canopy and round plate together rose two chi, six cun, and five fen, lacquered cinnabar throughout. Green canopy trim, copper dragon, lotus seat, treasured canopy, and Yellow Canopy all matched the great chariot. The three-tier heaven wheel did likewise. Before the pavilion one straight rail; behind one with corner rails; two side rails—all cinnabar, with inlaid ring panels. Four panels held twelve pillars with caps matching the great chariot. Plain mats and rush mats lined the rails; banners, ladder, horses, coats, and rain gear matched as well. Chariots used elephants and palanquins horses, so saddles, bridles, bells, and tassels were all provided.
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The wood chariot had two harness horses and four outriders, with harmony bells, a round canopy, and square frame. It stood one zhang, one chi, six cun, and five fen high; the canopy three chi, six cun, and one fen, in black with four pearwood plaques. Three tiers of black satin curtains and four black satin bands adorned the frame. Four pillars, each six chi and five fen tall, stood five chi one cun apart. The platform measured nine chi by eight chi eight cun, ringed in vermilion rails. Three shafts, each two zhang and one chi long. The frame was nine chi long and eight chi eight cun wide; behind rose the Great Banner with twelve pennants embroidered with Divine Martial; all else matched the jade chariot. The wood chariot was redesignated from the fragrant step palanquin. Originally the fragrant step palanquin stood one zhang, two chi, and five cun high, its seat three chi high and eight chi, two cun, and five fen square. Its cinnabar seat bore twelve wholly gilded dragon panels in five-colored clouds, lotus seats between, and twenty gilded cloud panels below. Four shafts below: center pair three zhang, five chi, nine cun; side pair over two zhang, nine chi, five cun—all cinnabar, with gilded dragon caps and eight yellow pulling cords. The pavilion stood six chi and five fen high on pillars five chi eight cun tall. A cinnabar railing two cun five fen high bore twelve agarwood-toned floral panels, studded with gilded plates. Doors stood two cun higher than the great horse palanquin but equally wide. Side doors were two chi and two cun wide. Fore and side doors were cinnabar cross-lattice panels with eight agarwood-toned dragons and matching cloud panels, all gilded. Inside lay floral carpets, rush mats, red brocaded cushions, and a cinnabar chair with gilded dragon. From the backrest down, all matched the great and small horse palanquins. Canopy and plate together exceeded two chi six cun, with a gilded crouching dragon; all else matched the horse palanquins. The heaven wheel followed the same rules. Corner rails fore and aft enclosed the pavilion in cinnabar, inlaid with gilded dragons and five-colored clouds. Twelve pillars on three panels bore caps matching the great chariot. Floral carpets and rush mats lined the interior. Inside stood a gilded wooden sword-mountain, a cinnabar footrest, and yellow satin garments. One cinnabar ladder bore six gilded dragon panels, twelve water panels, and four crouching dragons in gold. Canopy coats and rain gear followed the horse palanquin rules.
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The leather chariot used one harness horse and three outriders, with harmony bells, a round canopy, and square frame. It stood one zhang, one chi, and three cun high; the canopy two chi, five cun, and five fen, in clay-silver trim with four round yellow leather plaques. Three tiers of white satin curtains hung below, with four white satin bands on the frame. Four pillars, each five chi, five cun, and nine fen tall, supported a platform one zhang six chi by eight chi, three cun, and five fen, ringed in vermilion rails. Two shafts, each one zhang, nine chi, and five fen long, joined a frame one zhang six cun wide and eight chi, three cun, and five fen across. Behind rose the Great White banner with twelve pennants, each bearing a golden tiger; all else matched the jade chariot. The leather chariot replaced the small horse palanquin beginning in Qianlong 8. Originally the small horse palanquin was one chi shorter and narrower than the great horse palanquin. Its two lower shafts were one zhang, nine chi, and five fen long. Platform, pearl-drip board, spokes, and rims all followed the great horse palanquin. The pavilion stood five chi, five cun, and nine fen high, in cinnabar lacquer. Four pillars, each five chi, four cun, and five fen long. The railing rose one cun and four fen, with twelve agarwood-toned cloud panels above and below. Doors measured five chi high by two chi, two cun, and five fen wide. Side doors were over one cun narrower. Fore and side doors were two cinnabar lattice panels each, studded with gilded floral plates. Lattice centers were bound with yellow cord. Behind stood a cinnabar screen with five agarwood-toned dragons and three matching ring panels. Gilded floral plates studded the surroundings as well. The cinnabar seat bore plain mats, rush mats, and red brocaded gold cushions. Four red curtains hung outside; chair and fittings matched the great horse palanquin. Canopy and plate sat one cun lower than on the great horse palanquin. A gilded copper jeweled finial crowned the top. Lotus seat, treasured canopy, heaven wheel, and pavilion fittings matched the great horse palanquin. The ancient jade palanquin was wooden, cinnabar-lacquered, with a round canopy on a square seat. It stood one zhang, one chi, and one cun high; the canopy two chi, in green with four jade round plaques. A gilded round cap bore openwork gilded cloud eaves. Curved beams hung on four sides, their ends shaped as gilded cloud leaves. Two tiers of green satin curtains hung in pleats around the sides. Four yellow velvet cords were tied to the seat corners. Four pillars, each five chi and three cun tall and five chi apart, were painted with cloud-dragons. Doors stood four chi eight cun high; winter brought green felt curtains, summer vermilion curtains with black satin borders, three per side. The seat rose two chi four cun on a platform seven chi six cun above and seven chi seven cun below, with colored clouds above and golden clouds below, ringed by vermilion rails one chi six cun eight fen high inlaid with gold. Floral carpets lined the interior within the rails. At the center stood the cloud-dragon throne, one chi and three cun high. Bronze tripods stood to the left; ceremonial sword and robes to the right. Four shafts: inner pair three zhang eight cun five fen, outer pair two zhang nine chi, capped with golden dragon heads and tails. Five recessed steps led up between cinnabar rails trimmed in gold; thirty-six bearers carried it.
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The gold palanquin had a round canopy and square frame. It stood one zhang and five chi high; the canopy one chi nine cun, in clay-gold with four gold round plaques. It was crowned with a gilded round cap. The eaves spanned seven chi and one cun. Two tiers of yellow satin curtains hung below. Pillars five chi tall stood four chi nine cun apart. Doors stood four chi, seven cun, and five fen high. Winter brought yellow felt door curtains; summer vermilion curtains with black satin borders, three per side. The platform measured seven chi three cun above and seven chi five cun below, ringed by vermilion rails one chi three cun high. Four shafts: inner pair two zhang eight chi one cun, outer pair two zhang six chi one cun. Twenty-eight bearers carried it. All else followed the jade palanquin. In Qianlong 13 the cool step palanquin became the gold palanquin. Originally the cool step palanquin stood one zhang, one chi, and two cun high, its seat two chi five cun high. Its cinnabar seat and frame bore twenty wholly gilded cloud panels and twelve five-colored ring panels on gold ground with lotus seats. Four shafts below: center pair two zhang eight chi five cun, side pair two chi shorter—all cinnabar, with gilded dragon caps and eight yellow pulling cords. The pavilion stood five chi, five cun, and five fen high on a four chi eight cun square base, in cinnabar. Doors measured four chi seven cun high by two chi two cun wide. Side doors were equally wide. Twelve agarwood-toned floral panels crowned the frame; fore and side doors were two cinnabar lattice panels each, the rear three, all bound with yellow cord. Floral carpets, rush mats, and red brocaded cushions covered the floor. A cinnabar chair with gilded cloud-dragons bore one agarwood-toned dragon on its back, a gilded cloud panel below, and a fortune-longevity panel with garments complete. Inside stood a gilded sword-mountain, a footrest, and yellow satin garments. Copper and gilded gem-set braziers, cushions, skirts, and drapes matched the horse palanquins. The canopy rose two chi five cun, crowned by a gilded jeweled finial on a lotus base one chi three cun two fen high, with four yellow climbing cords. The cinnabar top was veiled in yellow felt, with ruyi clouds and felt border tassels at the corners. Two tiers of golden brocade eaves, one hundred twenty-four folds each, bore embroidered cloud-dragons and five-colored clouds. The waistband bore sixteen traveling dragons in embroidery. Alternatively a great red gauze canopy with red gauze ruyi borders. Four gilded copper cloud ornaments stood at the corners. Inside, a treasured canopy on a cinnabar frame veiled in yellow brocade—the Yellow Canopy—bore five embroidered dragons. Four cloud-dragons were embroidered around the apex. Yellow climbing cords and gilded wooden fish linked pavilion corners to the seat. Outside hung a red felt garment with golden-yellow felt borders and silk lining. Corner rails enclosed the pavilion in cinnabar, set with sixteen openwork gilded five-colored cloud panels. Twelve pillars on four panels bore caps matching the great chariot. Floral carpets and rush mats lined the interior; one cinnabar ladder bore six gilded cloud panels and twelve water panels. Four crouching dragons, all studded with gilded floral plates. Four gilded hooks and matching golden-yellow cords completed the set. It carried four red-oiled stools, two yellow felt stools, a golden-yellow canopy coat, and a golden-yellow raincoat.
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輿 輿 竿竿 竿
The ritual litter was of fragrant wood. It stood six chi and three cun high. Above rose a two-tier domed canopy one chi three cun high. The upper tier was octagonal, trimmed with gilded traveling dragons. The lower four corners were ornamented likewise. A gilded round cap bore openwork cloud eaves hung with miscellaneous treasure motifs. The eaves measured eight chi seven cun by three chi five cun. Two tiers of bright yellow satin curtains bore gold cloud-dragons in embroidery. Four pillars five chi tall bore coiled dragons in openwork gold; doors and rails showed cloud-dragons likewise. Inside stood a golden dragon throne one chi seven cun high, with bright yellow cloud satin, gauze, or felt curtains by season. Lattice windows on either side used blue gauze in summer and glass in winter. Two straight shafts, each one zhang, seven chi, six cun, and five fen long. Two great crossbars, nine chi long. Four small crossbars, two chi, two cun, and five fen long. Eight shoulder poles, each five chi eight cun long. All were cinnabar-lacquered and painted with golden cloud-dragons. Copper pins crossed them lengthwise, capped with golden dragon heads and tails. Sixteen bearers carried it. The ritual litter was redesignated from the great ceremonial sedan. Originally the great ceremonial sedan stood four chi, eight cun, and five fen high, its canopy one chi three cun high and two chi eight cun wide. Its two-tier canopy bore nine wholly gilded dragons, scroll ring panels, and two tiers of yellow gauze dragon eaves. Two cinnabar-gilded straight poles and matching fore-and-aft crossbars. Four short poles and twice as many shoulder poles. Two support poles. Twelve crouching dragons crowned the canopy; the gilded top was inlaid with dragon motifs, coral, lapis, and other stones. Carrying poles were capped with gilded copper dragon heads and tails. It carried a yellow canopy coat, oiled-silk raincoat, and yellow felt top.
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輿 輿 輿 竿
The light step litter, borne by sixteen men, was wooden and cinnabar-lacquered, without canopy curtains. The canopy rose three chi and four cun. Ivory armrests stood one chi, five cun, and eight fen high. The seat rose one chi eight cun two fen on a platform one chi eight cun three fen by two chi two cun. A three-cun footrest was gold-lacquered. Two straight shafts, each one zhang five chi four cun five fen, bore copper dragon caps. Two great crossbars, nine chi one cun long. Four small crossbars, two chi eight cun four fen long. Eight shoulder poles, each five chi eight cun five fen, were copper-drilled. All else followed the step litter. The light step litter was redesignated from the folding bright sedan. Originally the folding bright sedan was gold-lacquered with floral and beast-face carving. It measured two chi two cun wide and three chi four cun high. Its floor matched the sedan body in width. Its straight poles below matched the great ceremonial sedan in number. Ornament and canopy gear matched the bright sedan.
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輿 輿 輿 竿
The step litter, borne by sixteen men, was wood painted gold, without canopy curtains. The canopy rose three chi five cun. Openwork floral armrests stood one chi six cun five fen high. A coiled-dragon seat rose one chi eight cun five fen on a platform one chi eight cun by two chi two cun. Winter brought purple sable cushions; summer bright yellow brocaded satin. Four legs shaped as tiger claws with chi-dragon heads on round pearl feet bore painted cloud-dragons around. A footrest three cun one fen high was covered in yellow satin. Two straight shafts, each one zhang five chi five cun long. Two great crossbars seven chi six cun long bore confronting dragon heads at center. Four small crossbars, two chi eight cun long. Eight shoulder poles, each five chi six cun long. All else followed the ritual litter. The step litter was redesignated from the great sedan. Originally the great sedan had a cinnabar single top three chi wide and five chi high with applied gold. The top was eight cun wider and eight cun higher than the body. One tier of yellow gauze phoenix eaves-drip was gilded. Four gilded crouching phoenixes adorned it. Straight poles below matched the great ceremonial sedan in number. From the gilded top down, all matched.
17
輿 輿 輿 穿 竿 輿
The empress phoenix litter was wood lacquered bright yellow, seven chi high. A two-tier domed canopy rose one chi five cun five fen. The upper tier was octagonal; the lower four corners bore gilded phoenixes. A gilded round cap bore openwork clouds and treasure motifs. Eaves five chi by three chi seven cun six fen bore bright yellow curtains gilded with phoenixes above and below. Four pillars, each four chi seven cun tall, were painted with gilded phoenixes. Four lattice windows opened, screened with green cord. Double doors two chi six cun high opened to raised lattice screens; the interior was pale red lacquer. A vermilion seat one chi seven cun high stood at center. Bright yellow armrests one chi eight cun high bore gilded phoenixes. Bright yellow satin cushions were embroidered with colored phoenixes. A forward armrest extension matched the bright yellow gilded phoenix finish. Two straight shafts, each one zhang seven chi two cun five fen long. Two eight-chi crossbars bore iron-clad golden confronting phoenixes at center. Four small crossbars, three chi long. Eight shoulder poles, each five chi one cun long. All were bright yellow lacquer, copper-drilled, with copper-clad golden phoenix caps lengthwise. Sixteen bearers carried it. The empress rode it for the personal silkworm ceremony. Carriages for empresses and consorts were codified in Qianlong 14. Originally there was also a phoenix palanquin: pillars three chi six cun high, five chi two cun wide. Its seat rose one chi eight cun, ringed by floral rails and pillars in cinnabar and applied gold. A treasured seat above an immortal bridge was pierced with rattan. Windows were bound in stone-blue cord; the canopy cover was yellow knotted gauze. Two tiers of gilded phoenix eaves-drip. Yellow satin linings. Pearl curtains hung outside. Four straight poles and twice as many inner carrying poles. Short poles matched the inner poles in number. All were cinnabar-lacquered. The red-gold top was inlaid with phoenix motifs, lapis, coral, and other stones. Pole ends bore golden phoenix heads and tails. Four red-oiled stools. Two support forks. A yellow canopy coat and oiled-silk raincoat. The phoenix litter was three chi one cun five fen wide, with pillars three chi three cun two fen, doors two chi eight cun, and a top eight cun wider than the face. The canopy had six petals, each one chi five cun wide, together one chi two cun high. Shafts one zhang seven chi five cun and wheels five chi high were yellow-oiled and painted with gilded phoenixes. A red-gold top was studded with gilded plates. Plain yellow gauze garments bore two tiers of gilded phoenix eaves.
18
輿輿 輿輿
The ceremonial litter was wood lacquered bright yellow, one chi one cun shorter than the phoenix litter. A domed canopy rose six cun seven fen. A gilded round cap and gilded eaves spanned five chi seven cun. Yellow velvet cords at the four corners tied to the straight shafts. Bright yellow satin curtains hung below. Four pillars, each four chi seven cun tall. Door curtains were bright yellow satin with red lining. A vermilion seat one chi five cun high had bright yellow armrests one chi six cun high painted with gilded phoenixes. Bright yellow satin cushions bore colored phoenixes in embroidery. Two straight shafts, each one zhang five chi five cun long. Two crossbars seven chi seven cun long bore iron-clad golden confronting phoenixes at center. Four shoulder poles five chi two cun long were copper-clad gold at both ends. Eight bearers carried it. Originally the ceremonial litter was three chi two cun wide, pillars three chi four cun, top three cun wider and nine cun higher than the face, shafts as long as the phoenix litter, wheels two cun lower—all yellow-oiled. A red-gold top was studded with gilded plates. Garments were yellow cloud satin. Double eaves with red satin lining. A yellow canopy coat, oiled-silk raincoat, and yellow felt top.
19
The phoenix carriage was wood lacquered bright yellow, nine chi five cun high. A two-tier dome one chi seven cun high bore the Eight Treasures above, gilded phoenixes on the octagon, clouds below, and matching corner ornaments. A gilded round cap bore openwork clouds and treasure motifs. Eaves measured four chi nine cun by four chi. Bright yellow satin curtains hung from a bright yellow net canopy; bright yellow velvet cords at the four corners tied to the frame. Four pillars stood three chi three cun high; gilded phoenixes were painted on the left, right, and rear. Each side had latticed panels screened with blue cord; the door was three chi high, topped with facing gilded phoenixes in openwork. Bright yellow satin curtains with yellow lining. The seat cushion was also bright yellow satin, embroidered with colored phoenixes. Wheels measured four chi nine cun in diameter, each with eighteen spokes. Two shafts, one zhang seven chi five cun long, had gilded iron fittings at both ends. The frame was six chi two cun long. It was drawn by one horse.
20
輿 竿竿 輿
The ceremonial carriage was wood lacquered bright yellow, nine chi five cun high. The domed canopy was round above and square below, nine cun high. A gilded silver round cap crowned it. Eaves measured four chi five cun by four chi one cun. Bright yellow velvet cords at the four corners tied to the frame. Bright yellow satin curtains hung down. Four pillars stood two chi eight cun high, undecorated, with pale red lacquer inside. Yellow lining and bright yellow satin curtains. The seat cushion was also bright yellow satin, embroidered with colored phoenixes. Wheels measured four chi in diameter, each with eighteen spokes. Two shafts one zhang five chi long had silver-gilt iron fittings; the frame was five chi eight cun; one horse drew it. Originally there was no ceremonial carriage, only a great ceremonial palanquin two chi nine cun wide and four chi eight cun high. The top was as wide as the ceremonial litter. An eight-petal top pavilion was coated throughout with yellow oil. Gilded cloud-and-phoenix bands and rings were inset with gems of five colors. Yellow gauze covered it, with two tiers of gilded phoenix drip-lines. There were two vertical and two horizontal poles, four short carrying poles, twice as many shoulder poles, and two support poles—all lacquered vermilion. The palanquin top bore twelve gilded phoenixes; the gilded cap was chased with sea-horse motifs and set with green, red, and blue gems. Gilded copper phoenix heads and tails adorned the palanquin poles. Canopy garments and other details matched the ceremonial litter.
21
輿輿
The Empress Dowager's litters and carriages followed the Empress's regulations, but painting and embroidery added dragons, so they were called the dragon litter and the dragon-phoenix carriage. In Qianlong 16, for the Empress Dowager's sixtieth birthday, the Emperor personally escorted her from Changchun Garden into the palace. The Empress Dowager rode a gilded palanquin draped in bright yellow satin embroidered with seal-script longevity characters. Twenty-eight bearers carried the palanquin. On her seventieth and eightieth birthdays in the twenty-sixth and thirty-sixth years, she again rode this palanquin from Changchun Garden into the palace. It was formally named the Ten-Thousand-Years Palanquin.
22
輿 輿 輿輿 竿竿 竿
The Imperial Noble Consort's pheasant litter was wood lacquered bright yellow, with gilded pheasants in all painting and embroidery. The horizontal pole's center bore facing silver-gilt iron pheasants with gilded heads. Every pole had gilded pheasant heads and tails added along its length. There were four shoulder poles. Eight bearers carried it. Everything else matched the Empress's phoenix litter. Originally the Imperial Noble Consort had pheasant carriages and palanquins, not ceremonial litters or carriages. The pheasant palanquin was two chi nine cun wide and four chi six cun high. The top was two chi five cun wide. The top pavilion had six petals. All was golden-yellow oiled, painted with clouds, dragons, and pheasants, and set with gems of five colors. Golden-yellow gauze covered it, with gilded pheasant drip-lines above. There were two vertical poles and the same number of horizontal ones. Four shoulder poles and two support poles were all lacquered vermilion. Ten gilded pheasants ornamented the palanquin top. A plain gilded top with full copper fittings. A yellow canopy coat and an oiled-silk raincoat.
23
輿 輿
The ceremonial litter was wood lacquered bright yellow. The backrest bore gilded pheasants. The seat cushion was embroidered with colored pheasants. Facing silver-gilt iron pheasants stood at the horizontal pole's center. The pheasant heads were gilded. Everything else matched the Empress's ceremonial litter.
24
The pheasant carriage was wood lacquered bright yellow. Gilded pheasants ornamented the canopy. Gilded pheasants were painted on the left, right, and rear. The door bore facing gilded pheasants in openwork. The seat cushion was embroidered with colored pheasants. The shafts had silver-gilt iron fittings. Everything else followed the Empress's phoenix carriage. Originally the pheasant carriage was three chi one cun wide, pillars three chi three cun plus a fraction, top one chi two cun, shafts one zhang six chi six cun, wheels four chi eight cun—all golden-yellow oiled. Garments were golden-yellow cloud satin. Double eaves with drip-lines and red silk lining. A plain gilded top with full gilded copper fittings. Besides the canopy coat and raincoat, there was a golden-yellow felt top.
25
The ceremonial carriage had a seat cushion embroidered with colored pheasants. Everything else matched the Empress's ceremonial carriage.
26
輿輿 輿
The Noble Consort's pheasant litter, ceremonial litter, and ceremonial carriage were all wood lacquered golden-yellow. Canopy, curtains, and seat were golden-yellow satin, with gilded pheasants in all colored embroidery. Facing silver-gilt iron pheasants with gilded heads stood at the horizontal pole's center. Every pole had gilded pheasant heads and tails added along its length. Everything else matched the Imperial Noble Consort's litters and carriages.
27
輿
The Consort's pheasant litter was wood lacquered golden-yellow. A gilded copper round cap crowned it. Gilded copper pheasant heads and tails adorned the vertical pole. Four shoulder poles were gold-lacquered. Eight bearers carried it.
28
輿 輿
The ceremonial litter was wood lacquered golden-yellow. A gilded copper round cap crowned it. There were two shoulder poles. Four bearers carried it. The ceremonial carriage was wood lacquered golden-yellow. The cap was a gilded copper round top. Everything else followed the Noble Consort's litters and carriages. Originally carriages and palanquins for the Noble Consort, Consort, and Imperial Concubine matched the Imperial Noble Consort's. Only the tops and all fittings of their carriages and palanquins were gilded copper.
29
A prince had one open palanquin of wood with gold sprinkling and no canopy garment. Canopy, shafts, and poles were vermilion-lacquered with gold ornament. One warm palanquin had a silver top, golden-yellow canopy curtains, red inner curtains, and satin or felt as the season required. Originally a prince's open palanquin was three chi three cun wide, with a platform as wide as the palanquin face. All was sheep-liver lacquer with gold sprinkling, carved above and below with delicate floral patterns. Two vertical poles, two horizontal poles, two support poles, and four shoulder poles were all vermilion-lacquered with applied gold. A red canopy coat and an oiled-silk raincoat.
30
A prince's heir had one open palanquin under the same regulations. One warm palanquin. Red canopy, golden-yellow curtains, and red inner curtains. Everything else matched a prince's regulations.
31
輿
A commandery prince had one open palanquin and one warm palanquin. Red canopy, red curtains, and red inner curtains. Everything else matched a prince's heir. Originally commandery princes through beile and above all rode open palanquins borne by eight men, as princes did. Assistant State Dukes and above also rode open palanquins carried by four men. Those who had ridden horses were allowed to keep doing so. A commandery prince's eldest son and a beile each had one open palanquin and one warm palanquin. From beile upward, eight litter bearers were employed. Red canopy, red curtains, and red inner curtains. Everything else matched a commandery prince.
32
A beizi had one open palanquin and one warm palanquin. Red canopy and curtains, with blue inner curtains. Everything else matched a beile.
33
A State Duke had one open palanquin and one warm palanquin. Black canopy, red curtains, and black inner curtains. Everything else matched a beizi.
34
輿
An Assistant State Duke had one open palanquin and one warm palanquin. Blue canopy, red curtains, and blue inner curtains. Everything else matched a State Duke. From Assistant State Duke upward, four litter bearers were employed.
35
A Princess of the First Rank had one warm palanquin and one vermilion-wheeled carriage. Both had golden-yellow canopies, red inner curtains and edging, and golden-yellow corner curtains. Originally the Princess of the First Rank's carriage and palanquin canopies were golden-yellow satin, with red edging at the corner eaves.
36
輿
A Princess by Imperial Decree had a warm palanquin and vermilion-wheeled carriage with red canopy and inner curtains and golden-yellow corner edging. Everything else matched the Princess of the First Rank. From Princess by Imperial Decree down through Commandery Princess, litters had silver tops. Originally the Princess of the First Rank's carriage and palanquin were red satin, with golden-yellow edging at the canopy corners.
37
A Commandery Princess had a warm palanquin and vermilion-wheeled carriage with red canopy, inner curtains, and curtains, and black corner edging. Everything else matched a Princess by Imperial Decree. Originally a Commandery Princess's canopy and inner curtains matched a Princess by Imperial Decree's, but the canopy corners had blue edging.
38
A County Princess had a warm palanquin and vermilion-wheeled carriage with red canopy, blue curtains, and blue corner edging. Everything else matched a Commandery Princess. Originally a County Princess's canopy and inner curtains matched a Princess by Imperial Decree's, but the canopy corners had indigo edging.
39
A Commandery Lady's carriage had a red canopy, red curtains, blue inner curtains, and blue corner edging. Originally a Commandery Lady's carriage had a red satin canopy, blue inner curtains, and indigo corner edging.
40
A County Lady's carriage had a black canopy, red curtains, black inner curtains, and red corner edging. Originally a County Lady's carriage had a blue satin canopy with red corner edging.
41
A State Duke's daughter holding the rank of Village Lady had a black canopy, black inner curtains, red curtains, and blue corner edging. Originally a State Duke's daughter Village Lady had blue satin canopy and inner curtains with indigo corner edging.
42
An Assistant State Duke's daughter Village Lady had blue inner curtains and a canopy without edging. Everything else matched the State Duke's daughter. From Commandery Lady downward, all carriages had vermilion wheels. Originally an Assistant State Duke's daughter Village Lady had a blue canopy and blue inner curtains.
43
輿
A prince's consort had a warm palanquin and vermilion-wheeled carriage with a red canopy and black corner edging. Golden-yellow curtains, red inner curtains, vermilion shafts, and a gilded litter top. From princes through beile, each secondary consort ranked one grade below the principal wife. Originally a prince's consort had red canopy and inner curtains, golden-yellow hanging curtains, and blue corner edging. A prince's secondary consort had red canopy and inner curtains, blue corner edging, and red hanging curtains.
44
A prince's heir's consort had a warm palanquin and vermilion-wheeled carriage with red curtains. Everything else matched a prince's consort. Originally a prince's heir's consort's palanquin and carriage matched a prince's secondary consort's. A prince's heir's secondary consort had red canopy and inner curtains, blue corner edging, and blue hanging curtains.
45
輿
A commandery prince's consort had a warm palanquin and vermilion-wheeled carriage with black curtains. Everything else matched a prince's heir's consort. The litter had a silver top. Originally a commandery prince's consort's palanquin and carriage matched a prince's heir's secondary consort's. A commandery prince's secondary consort had red canopy and inner curtains, indigo corner edging, and indigo hanging curtains.
46
A commandery prince's eldest son's consort had a warm palanquin and vermilion-wheeled carriage with indigo corner edging and indigo curtains. Everything else matched a commandery prince's consort. Originally a commandery prince's eldest son's consort's palanquin and carriage matched a commandery prince's secondary consort's. A commandery prince's eldest son's secondary consort had a red canopy, blue corner edging, blue inner curtains, and red curtains.
47
A beile's lady had a warm palanquin and vermilion-wheeled carriage with black corner edging and black inner curtains. Everything else matched a commandery prince's eldest son's consort. Originally a beile's lady matched a commandery prince's eldest son's secondary consort; a beile's secondary lady had a red canopy, blue edging, blue inner curtains, and red curtains.
48
A beizi's lady had a red canopy, blue edging, blue inner curtains, and red curtains. Originally a beizi's lady's carriage matched a beile's secondary lady's. A beizi's secondary lady had a blue canopy, red edging, blue inner curtains, and red curtains.
49
A State Duke's lady had vermilion wheels, a black canopy, red edging, and black inner curtains. Red curtains. From a duke's lady upward, canopies and inner curtains were cloud satin; from a general's lady downward, plain satin. Originally a State Duke's lady's canopy and inner curtains matched a beizi's secondary lady's. A State Duke's secondary lady had a blue canopy, indigo edging, blue inner curtains, and red curtains.
50
An Assistant State Duke's lady had vermilion wheels, a black canopy, blue edging, black inner curtains, and red curtains. Originally an Assistant State Duke's lady's canopy and inner curtains matched a State Duke's secondary lady's. An Assistant State Duke's secondary lady had a blue canopy, blue inner curtains, and red curtains.
51
A general's lady had vermilion wheels, a black canopy, blue edging, black inner curtains, and red curtains. Originally a general's lady's canopy and curtains matched an Assistant State Duke's secondary lady's.
52
An assistant general's lady had vermilion wheels, a blue canopy, red curtains, and blue inner curtains. Originally an assistant general's lady had a blue satin canopy and curtains with red hanging curtains.
53
A Banner General's Shuren lady and an Ennobled General's Gongren lady both had vermilion wheels and black canopy, inner curtains, and curtains. Originally both had blue satin canopies, inner curtains, and curtains.
54
A commoner's duchess had black shafts and wheels, a green canopy, black edging, green curtains, and black inner curtains. Originally a duchess's carriage had a black canopy and blue edging.
55
Marquis and earl ladies' carriages had blue corner edging. Everything else matched a commoner's duchess. Originally marquis and earl ladies had blue inner curtains and indigo corner edging.
56
A viscount lady's carriage had a black canopy. Everything else matched marquis and earl ladies. Originally a viscount lady had a blue canopy, green edging, green curtains, and blue inner curtains.
57
A baron lady's carriage had a black canopy without edging. Everything else matched a viscount lady. Originally a baron lady had a blue canopy, blue inner curtains, and green curtains.
58
滿輿 輿
Only princes, commandery princes, grand secretaries, and ministers among Manchu officials rode litters. Beile, beizi, dukes, banner commanders, and second-rank civil officials could not ride litters unless they were elderly. All other civil and military officials rode horses.
59
輿 輿 輿輿 輿 輿
Han officials of third rank and above and capital bureau officials used silver litter tops and black canopy curtains. In the capital they had four litter bearers; outside, eight. Fourth-rank civil officials and below had two litter bearers and tin litter tops. Provincial governors and governors-general had eight litter bearers. Circuit intendants down through educational officials had four litter bearers. Miscellaneous officials rode horses.
60
輿
Imperial commissioners of third rank and above had eight litter bearers. Third-rank military officials still could not use litters. Military officials all rode horses. Generals, provincial commanders, and regional commanders past seventy who could no longer ride horses had to memorialize and await imperial approval. Originally officials from dukes, marquises, and earls downward of third rank and above rode four-man enclosed litters with gilded ornament, silver chilong, embroidered belts, and blue curtains. Fourth rank and below rode two-man enclosed litters or carriages; those who had ridden horses were allowed to keep doing so. Their litters and carriages: fourth and fifth ranks had plain lion-embroidered belts. Sixth rank and below had plain cloud-head belts and blue curtains. Han military officials who rode litters were forbidden under the same rules.
61
滿 滿 滿
In Qianlong 15 an edict declared: "Under our dynasty's ancient custom, civil and military Manchu and Han grand ministers all rode horses to court and never used litters. Some Manchu grand ministers had ridden in litters before, so an edict forbade military grand ministers from doing so but not civil ones. Now civil grand ministers, bent on comfort, ride in litters even for the shortest distances within the capital. If going about the ministries requires a litter, the founding ministers of those boards never used one. This comes from neglecting their duties in ordinary times and seeking comfort alone. Manchu grand ministers should reflect on our dynasty's ancient custom and obey it. Henceforth civil grand ministers who reach sixty and truly cannot ride horses may still use litters; all others are forbidden."
62
Commoners' carriages were black-lacquered, even-fronted, flat-topped, with black curtains. Palanquins followed the same rules as carriages. Cloud-head motifs were forbidden.
63
A first-rank titled lady had black wheels and shafts, a black canopy, blue edging, green curtains, and black inner curtains.
64
A second-rank titled lady had a black canopy without edging. Everything else matched a first-rank titled lady.
65
輿
A third-rank titled lady had a black canopy and black inner curtains. Everything else matched a second-rank titled lady. The above ranks used silver litter tops.
66
輿
A fourth-rank titled lady had a black canopy and blue inner curtains, with a tin litter top. Everything else matched a third-rank titled lady.
67
使使 祿使 使
Fifth-rank titled ladies and below had blue canopies, curtains, and inner curtains. Second rank and above used silk for canopies, inner curtains, and curtains; lower ranks used cloth. Originally titled ladies of inner court ministers, banner commanders, grand secretaries, ministers, and the left censor-in-chief had blue canopies, green edging, green curtains, and blue inner curtains. Titled ladies of officials without regular posts, vanguard commanders, metropolitan garrison commanders, deputy banner commanders, vice ministers, academicians, vice censor-in-chief, transmission chief secretaries, judicial review presidents, and heir-apparent household chancellors had blue canopies, blue inner curtains, and green curtains. Titled ladies of first-class bodyguards, company commanders, garrison captains, princely chief stewards, ritual, works, and revenue directors, transmission vice secretaries, judicial review vice presidents, academy directors, inner court reader-academicians, Hanlin reader-lecturers, readers, lecturers, heir-apparent vice chancellors, tutors, preceptors, palace stewards, bureau directors, state ceremonial presidents, censors, supervising secretaries, and barons had blue canopies, blue inner curtains, and blue curtains. Titled ladies of idle banner nobles, second-class bodyguards, assistant commanders, beile chief stewards, astronomy directors, inner court readers, academy vice directors, state ceremonial vice presidents, transmission counselors, heir-apparent middle attendants, bureau vice directors, garrison lieutenants, and commanders had blue canopies, indigo inner curtains, and blue curtains. Titled ladies of third-class bodyguards, cloud-cavalry commanders, and officials of fifth rank and below had indigo canopies and inner curtains with blue curtains.
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