Woman's semiformal court robe

During the Qing dynasty, a man's court robe would have had splits down the middle, while a woman's garment had splits on the sides.

This garment, which closes on the right side, is fastened with four gilt metal openwork ball-and-loop toggle buttons. Typical of the Manchu court style, the tapered sleeves have flared or horse hoof–shaped cuffs. Nine golden dragons decorate this summer robe of gauze (the ninth is hidden from view, embroidered on the inside flap). The dragons appear in the sky with auspicious wish-granting clouds, cranes, and bats. In the center is a longevity basket containing peaches and hung with two Chinese characters representing double happiness, a symbol for weddings and happy occasions. Below the basket is a bat with two coins, representing the auspicious phrase "blessings in front of your eyes." The lower part of the court robe is decorated with the usual rocks and waves, signifying "mountain and river under one unified rule." Scattered among the cresting waves are the Eight Buddhist symbols such as the endless knot and the wheel of the law.