Despite being rich and powerful, He Shen did not possess this “feather.”
In many Chinese historical dramas set during the Qing Dynasty, most high officials and aristocrats are seen wearing a flamboyantly decorated red hat. This hat is often adorned with beautiful pearls and gemstones. At the top of the hat, there is a vibrant feather displayed prominently. Many consider this the most valuable item: Hua Ling.
Hua Ling is actually the tail feather of a peacock and comes in three types: single-eye, double-eye, and triple-eye Hua Ling. The “eye” refers to the circular patterns resembling eyes that are decorated along the Hua Ling. The more of these patterns present on the Hua Ling of a hat, the higher the status of the person wearing it.
From left to right: Hua Ling includes three ranks from highest to lowest: triple-eye, double-eye, single-eye. (Image: Baidu).
In these dramas, when the emperor becomes angry with a particular official, he orders the removal of the Hua Ling feather from their hat. Conversely, when rewarding a subject, the emperors of the Qing Dynasty would command the gifting of double-eye or triple-eye Hua Ling. According to the regulations of the Qing Dynasty, triple-eye Hua Ling was a clear indication of rank among high officials and bureaucrats. Not everyone was honored with the privilege of receiving Hua Ling, especially the triple-eye variety.
According to records in the “Qing History Manuscript” (a book detailing the history of the Qing Dynasty, China), only the following individuals were qualified to wear hats adorned with triple-eye Hua Ling: first, members of the royal family with notable achievements, and secondly, those who made significant contributions to the Qing Dynasty.
Thus, receiving Hua Ling from the emperor was an immense honor for officials of the Qing Dynasty, and not everyone could possess it. Even He Shen, a powerful figure who was “below one person and above ten thousand,” during the reign of Qianlong, did not enjoy this honor. In fact, throughout the more than 200 years of the Qing Dynasty, only seven individuals from the reigns of Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang, and Guangxu were awarded triple-eye Hua Ling.
Receiving Hua Ling from the emperor, especially the triple-eye variety, is an immense honor for officials of the Qing Dynasty. (Image: Baidu)
“treasure” that had once been a source of pride for many high officials of the Qing Dynasty was bargained over like an ordinary commodity in the market.
Anyone with enough money could buy what had once been an unattainable desire for previous generations. Consequently, Hua Ling completely lost the esteemed pride it once held in the past. As the Qing Dynasty declined, this “treasure” gradually transformed into an ordinary item traded in the halls of power.
