In many historical films and novels about the Qing Dynasty, there are images of the emperor bestowing the “huangma guai” robe to high-ranking officials. This is considered the highest honor, and many martial arts masters have fought fiercely over this robe, as it is reputed to grant the wearer immunity from the death penalty.
In the historical drama about Heshen, we see Heshen excitedly rushing to show off the huangma guai robe bestowed by the emperor to Ji Xiaolan.
Huangma guai is a type of traditional clothing of the Jurchen people from northern China. (Image source: Internet)
Is it true that this robe has such power that it grants immunity from the death penalty?
According to historical records, huangma guai is a type of traditional clothing of the Jurchen people from northern China. By the time of the Qing Dynasty, the hwangma guai was designed to be short, similar to modern-day shirts, with the hem not reaching past the hips and the sleeves not extending to the hands.
The huangma guai was bestowed for various purposes, primarily as a reward. (Image: QQ).
Yellow is a bright color that represents power. Since the Han Dynasty, yellow has gradually become the color associated with royalty. No one was allowed to wear the same color as the emperor. According to the rules, even highly regarded officials were not permitted to wear it. Especially during the Qing Dynasty, when the monarchy was absolute, the emperor held the highest power, and even the prime minister or royal family members were not allowed to wear it.
The color yellow symbolizes royalty and conveys a sense of nobility. Common people would feel greater respect and admiration upon seeing it. Therefore, the huangma guai is fundamentally an item for the emperor, and it is also used in cases of bestowing rewards.
The huangma guai is famous because it is yellow, symbolizing the nobility of the royal family, and only a few people are allowed to wear it. This includes palace guards and officials of significant status.
This type of robe could only be worn while performing duties; outside of that time, it was not permitted to be worn for show. Moreover, this is a robe that the emperor uses to reward officials for their contributions. The rewards of the huangma guai come in two types.
- The first type is made from linen. Each autumn, the emperor would go to the hunting grounds, and any of the officials who could hunt many animals would be rewarded with a huangma guai. However, this type of robe could only be worn during hunting.
- The second type is awarded to military officials who have made significant achievements. This is the highest honor. At any time, officials could wear it to demonstrate the emperor’s commendation. Previously, during Emperor Qianlong’s reign, huangma guai was rarely awarded. However, by the time of Emperor Xianfeng, the value of the color yellow diminished, and the number of recipients increased.
It can be seen that there are no historical records about the huangma guai granting immunity from the death penalty. However, to enhance its allure, many authors have woven this detail into their narratives, highlighting the significant gap between film and historical reality!
