Why did the emperor and senior officials embroider twelve patterns on their dresses?

Twelve patterns on the clothes worn by ancient emperors or senior officials are officially called twelve chapters and twelve articles, which is also obvious evidence that the imperial power in ancient China reached its peak, and it is intended to show the supremacy of informing the class.

Twelve decorative patterns embroidered on the clothes of emperors and senior officials can be divided into: sun, moon, stars, mountains, dragons, China insects, Zong Yi, seaweed, fire, pink rice, flounder and salamander. , collectively referred to as "Chapter 12", there is a small branch. If the dress is painted with embroidered chapters, it is called "Twelve Chapters".

These twelve decorative patterns are not randomly selected, but have many meanings: the sun, the moon and the stars take their meanings; Mountain, take its steady, calm for a while, the court will not be invaded by outsiders for generations; Dragon, taking its magical and changeable meaning; Insects in China, with colorful feathers, are very beautiful, so they have the meaning of literary talent; Zong Yi, taking the meaning of filial piety; Algae, take its clean meaning; Fire, take its bright meaning; Powder rice, take the meaning of raising; V, meaning cut off, decisive; Nuo, take its discrimination, insight, and turn evil into good.

The origin of twelve decorative patterns can be traced back to a longer period and began to evolve at the moment when Chinese civilization was born. As we know, the dress code of emperors in past dynasties was formed when the Zhou Dynasty was formally established, and it was used until Yuan Shikai restored the monarchy in modern times. The national emblem of Beiyang government in the Republic of China was also designed according to twelve chapters. In fact, in the final analysis, these decorative patterns are all for one thing, that is, to show the supremacy of rights, but also to show their different identities, different patterns, representing all their different rights.