University of Alberta Museums Search

A red tapestry weave robe with many gold and silver butterflies throughout. The cuffs, neckline, and two side vents are edged with black tapestry weave borders with a similar butterfly motif. These borders are also edged by a narrow gold metal-wrapped thread and silk floss geometric brocade trim that has a repeating wan symbol (similar to the swastika in form, but not ideology), which has an auspicious meaning of “infinity” or “eternity”. Ruyi, an auspicious wish-granting symbol, sit atop either side vent and are further accentuated by the aforementioned commercial ribbons. The robe is lined with a light yellow plain weave silk. This type of informal robe with wide sleeves and side slits, referred to as a changyi, is a type of informal garment for a Manchu woman. The "one hundred" butterflies motif was especially popular among older women, as the homophonous translation of "butterflies" (蝶) means 80 or 90 years old and represents longevity.