Rank Badge

During the Qing dynasty, government officials wore rank badges on their plain, dark silk court surcoats (pufu) to indicate their place in the imperial hierarchy. Officials’ robes opened at the centre front, so the front badges were divided in half.

Collected by Katherine Wilmott when she and her husband, Earl, were Canadian missionary teachers in Chengdu, Sichuan. She often purchased them from itinerant antique vendors, who would spread their wares out on verandas.

Various animals differentiated military officials. Creatures were shown looking at the sun, which represented the emperor. The bear indicates the badge belonged to a fifth-rank military official.

Rectangular badge with an animal, symbols and surrounding border. The badge consists of two pieces (part a-b), divided down the middle. The animal is a bear, denoting a military fifth rank official. The bear is orange with red mouth and ears. It is in the centre, head turned right and raised towards the red sun. The background is filled with blue waves and gold scrollwork. Amidst the background, the bear is surrounded by symbols. Symbols include bats, narcissi, peonies and the eight Buddhist symbols. Around the edges of the badge is a gold scrollwork border.