Daoist Priest's Robe (Jiangyi) with Four-Clawed Dragon, Attendant and Mounted Warrior Design
Chinese; Qing dynasty, circa 1875-1900
Dark blue silk satin embroidered with multicolored silk floss and couched with gold-wrapped thread
Murray Warner Collection, MWCH45:3
This blue Daoist Priest’s Robe was probably produced around 1875-1900. Such robes were worn over the priest’s shoulders like a cloak and are made from one continuous bolt of silk. Their spiritual function was to act as a temporary “temple,” with the priest functioning as a conduit inviting deities to descend to participate in ceremonies, which is why such robes are called “robes of descent,” or jiangyi. Wearing such a vestment, the priest provided a sanctified space for the gods. The opening for the wearer’s head represents the entrance to a Daoist temple, so directional guardians protect the collar—a white tiger to the west and blue dragon to the east. The robe is so wide that even with arms outstretched the priest’s hands would remain covered, which would keep the sacred hand gestures he performed secret.
As with other Daoist robes, the decoration on the back of this one is more complicated and detailed than its front. Just as the robe’s width hid the priest’s hands, its length hid his body. Since he performed most ceremonies with his back to the congregants, they would see all the splendid, auspicious symbols. The center of this robe is decorated with the standard Daoist imagery of the tower of the immortals, paired dragons, 28 constellations, and five talismans representing a celestial map, but what is different is the inclusion of six large human figures: Two large men stand flanking the tower and appear to be court officials, perhaps representing political authority. Below are four mounted figures—three on horseback and one on a leopard(?)—which may represent military power. Perhaps this associates the ultimate power of the Daoist spiritual realm with secular political and military authority. The back of this robe also includes Daoist symbols such as cranes and bats, plus a series of yin-yang discs surrounded by trigrams along the green border, while the front collar is decorated with the eight auspicious Buddhist emblems (canopy, vase of treasures, parasol, pair of fish, conch, eternal knot, lotus, and eight-spoked wheel).
— Logan Lewis
