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Mandarin Guanfu

Ming-Qing Chinese imperial official's robe

Names in Other Languages

중국 관복한국어
Mandarin Guanfu · 명청 시대 관료의 공식 복식
官服(マンダリン)日本語
明清中国官僚の公式服
官服繁體中文
明清中國官僚正式服
Mandarin-GuanfuDeutsch
Chinesisches Ming-Qing-Beamtengewand
Guanfu mandarinFrançais
Robe officielle chinoise des Ming et Qing
Guanfu mandarínEspañol
Túnica oficial china de Ming y Qing
Guanfu mandarimPortuguês
Túnica oficial chinesa de Ming e Qing
Guanfu mandaryńskiPolski
Chińska urzędnicza szata Ming i Qing
Мандаринский гуаньфуРусский
Китайское чиновничье одеяние Мин и Цин

The Mandarin guanfu is the formal official's robe of the Ming and Qing dynasties (14th–early 20th century), distinguished by the rank badge (buzi) — a square embroidered patch on chest and back indicating the wearer's exact position. Civil officials wore bird badges (crane for first rank, pheasant, goose, etc.), while military officials wore beasts (qilin, lion, leopard, tiger). Nine ranks were strictly codified. The base garment is an ankle-length robe (changpao) with round collar and wide sleeves, worn with jeweled belt, rank cap, and — in the Qing — a chaozhu bead necklace. The Qing added Manchu horseshoe cuffs and side slits. Atop the entire system stood the Emperor's Dragon Robe, embroidered with nine dragons, forbidden to all others. In East Asian fantasy, the guanfu is the iconic dress of court intrigue and political drama, its badges making rank instantly legible.