Manchu palace guard's ceremonial armor costume

The military garments of the Manchus, who came from northeastern China, reflect their lifestyle. The armor consists of a waist-length padded garment with a matching skirt, bearing medallions embroidered with dragons and other auspicious motifs. The lower garment has a split down the center for ease in riding, and the sleeves have horse hoof–shaped cuffs to protect their hands in inclement weather. The Manchus did not wear chain mail. Instead, the garment has cotton padding sewn with small metal bosses. Following Chinese tradition, the chest and back are guarded with a "heart-protecting mirror." The shoulders and armpits have extra padded pieces for protection, attached to the garment with buttons and decorated with perforated gilt metal plaques. A trapezoid piece protects the belly. The front plate, which would have had a lion's head and fish tail, is missing.

By the beginning of the twentieth century, such garments could no longer protect the wearer from modern weapons. These were worn by palace guards during ceremonial functions.