Rank Badges of Official Costumes of Ming and Qing Dynasties from the Perspective of Social Semiotics

Yichen ZHU*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal PublicationsJournal Article (refereed)peer-review

Abstract

The official dress systems of Ming and Qing Dynasties were formulated by the rulers of those feudal societies to maintain their ruling status. As well as being a functional indication of the type and power of officials, the rank badge, Buzi or Bufu ('Greek Passage'), on official clothes indirectly declared the elegant and brave characteristics of civil and military officers, and also reflected the philosophy of the unity and harmony between human and nature. Informed by social semiotics theory, the Buzi patterns embody the culture and arts of ancient Chinese clothing, producing novel meaning within corresponding social contexts, which can be inherited and developed in today's society. Moreover, the wearing of official unified clothes and rank badges by officials and civil servants should be encouraged since those persons often serve as a role model and are subject to public's scrutiny. Thus ancient Chinese culture and arts can flourish, a good social order and law be maintained, and a harmonious and civilized society built.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)121-143
Number of pages23
JournalLanguage and Semiotic Studies
Volume7
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Language and Semiotic Studies. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Buzi (rank badge)
  • clothing culture
  • inheritance
  • official costumes of Ming and Qing Dynasties
  • social governance
  • social semiotics

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