Mandarin Square

Square rank badge of fifth rank official worn on front of robe. Silver pheasant looks back at sun as it stands on a rock amidst green waves. Rudimentary li shui motif below waves and pearls in waves. Swastika, persimmon, jade musical stone, ruyi scepter hover directly above the waves form a rebus 万事如意 (wanshi ruyi), "may ten thousand things be as you wish" and 吉慶如意 (jiqing ruyi), "May there be great joy, and may all your wishes come true". The Chinese term for swastika is 萬 wan, meaning "myriad" (lit. 'ten thousand') and is meant to invoke the infinite blessings or wishes for happiness for the wearer of the badge. Stylized clouds in sky. Border of couched gold thread. Satin stitch and stem satin stitch with couched gold thread outlines on black silk. Vertical seam down center. Blue silk backing with a few small dark stains and stamped in blue ink as Made in China.