Chinese, China

This robe of descent is distinguished by the elaborate lattice pattern formed by gold-wrapped yarn embroidered on the blue-figured silk ground fabric. Out of this
golden network spring colorful embroidered renditions of the palaces of the Three Purities, sun and moon, fivestoried tower, constellations, symbols of the five sacred
mountains, cranes, and phoenixes. On the front center flaps are embroidered a dragon (wearer left) and a tiger (wearer right). These two animals are associated with
the eastern and the western directions, respectively, and probably refer to two large circumpolar constellations, known as the Green Dragon and the White Tiger, which marked the rising and setting of the sun. The bottom band shows images of the turtle and the snake (which together mark the north) alongside other dragons and horses that float above the green waves. The symbol for the southern direction (a red bird) is not visible here, but may have been marked by the priest’s headdress.