Feiyufu (l=flying fish clothing), also called ,
embroidery design
The flying fish decoration looks very similar to the python () pattern on the , but was actually a dragon-like creature with wings and the fanned tail of a fish.
The flying fish also had 4 claws like the ,
a dragon head and a carp's body and two horns.
The early flying fish ornament were characterized by the presence of double wings while in the middle and late Ming dynasty, the flying fish could only be distinguished from the python pattern by the presence of its fish tail instead of a dragon tail.
Construction and design
The is typically in the form of
Terlig (a robe with a y-shaped cross collar, with either broad or narrow sleeves and pleats below the waist) decorated with the feiyu pattern.
History
Ming dynasty
The originated in the
Yuan dynasty in a form of Mongol robe known as
terlig.
Despite the repeated prohibition of Mongol-style clothing, especially during the reign of the
Hongwu Emperor, some Mongol clothing from the Yuan dynasty remained.
After being adopted in the
Ming dynasty, the tieli became longer and its overall structure was made closer to the
shenyi system in order to integrate
Han Chinese rituals.
The appeared in the Ming dynasty and was unique to the Ming dynasty.
List of people bestowed with feiyufu
In the Ming dynasty, the could be worn by a handful of civil officials, military officers, and chief eunuchs:
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Under the rule of the Yongle Emperor (r. 1402 –1424 AD), the eunuchs were allowed when they would serve the emperor.
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In 1447 AD during the reign of the Zhengtong Emperor, the Ministry of Works issued an edict which would put artisans to death and send artisan's families to frontier garrisons as soldiers should the artisan produce among other prohibited clothing for commoners.
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Zhengde Emperor (r. 1505 – 1521 AD) bestowed a feiyufu to Song Suqing, a Japanese envoy, in an unprecedented act.
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Shen Defu (1578 –1642 AD) also noted the emperor would could bestow a red to a guard which was promoted to court guard.
In popular culture
The feiyufu and feiyufu-style guzhuang are depicted in Chinese television drama, especially period drama set in the Ming dynasty such as:
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Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (2011)
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Under the Power (2019)
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The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty (2020)
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Royal feast (2022)
Similar clothing
See also
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Hanfu
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List of Hanfu
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Chinese ornamental gold silk
