The way to resolve this issue has proven the financial capability of a dynasty.
The dragon robe is a special garment reserved exclusively for the Emperor, symbolizing royal authority. However, despite being the most exquisite attire in the world, it often causes discomfort for the Emperor. Moreover, when the Emperor wears the dragon robe, he must adhere to strict regulations. According to ceremonial customs, the Emperor is required to wear the dragon robe during court sessions and major ceremonies.
On the dragon robe, there are specific details to pay attention to, such as the nine-dragon pattern on both the front and back of the garment. The name “dragon robe” originates from this detail. Before the Tang Dynasty, many people could wear garments similar to the dragon robe, but they were not allowed to embroider dragon images. After the Tang Dynasty, commoners were not only prohibited from embroidering dragons on their clothing, but they were also forbidden from wearing garments resembling the dragon robe. Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty even stipulated that yellow was the color of emperors, reserved solely for the royal family. From then on, yellow became the distinctive color used exclusively for the imperial family, and almost all dragon robes in subsequent generations featured bright yellow as the primary color.
The dragon robe is a special garment reserved exclusively for the Emperor. (Illustrative image).
The process of creating a dragon robe is also quite complex, with many techniques now lost to history. The Emperor’s garments were crafted by highly skilled artisans, and the court would send people to supervise and expedite the process. Even with many people working together, it could take several years to complete a single dragon robe. During the Qing Dynasty, over 2,000 individuals were responsible for making the Emperor’s dragon robes, working day and night.
Crafting a dragon robe is a high-risk job but offers high income. Due to the lucrative pay, even a minor mistake on the dragon robe could lead to severe penalties. A relatively significant error that results in the robe being damaged could even lead to a death sentence. Therefore, those responsible for crafting the dragon robe must always be careful and devote their utmost effort to the precious garment before them.
Another remarkable fact is that almost all dragon robes from ancient times were never washed. Part of this was due to the historical lack of emphasis on hygiene. Additionally, the embroidered dragon patterns on the robe could easily become distorted after washing. Furthermore, even if the garment became soiled or emitted an unusual odor, most people of that era would use incense to purify it. Washing clothes with water was an act typically reserved for the poor.
This raises the question: if the dragon robes of ancient times were essentially never washed, how could the Emperor tolerate unusual odors while wearing them? The answer reveals the financial capabilities of the royal family.
To create a dragon robe, craftsmen needed three years to complete it. In fact, there was a specialized tailor shop within the palace dedicated to making clothing for the Emperor specifically and the royal family in general.
The royal attire of the Chinese, featuring horse-shoe shaped sleeves and heavy detachable collars, later became cumbersome in daily life, leading people to roll up their sleeves and only let them down when interacting with strangers.
For the dragon robe, the design and style had to receive approval from the Emperor and high-ranking officials in the court before being finalized. After the fabric was completed, a craftsman would cut it and send it to another tailor to finish the rough assembly of the dragon robe. Finally, the robe would be adorned with intricate embroidery.
Moreover, not all Emperors wore the dragon robe regularly; they only donned it on specific occasions. On ordinary days, they would wear casual attire. However, throughout history, there have been some Emperors who were frugal, and when an unusual odor appeared on the dragon robe, palace maids would use incense to purify it.
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