Page 51 - Chinese Porcelain Vol II, Galland

SYMBOLS ON ROBES OF STATE. 287
"
(see Nos. 319, 320) : Considering his ministers as his feet
and hands, was anxious that the executors of his
particularly
commands should be trustworthy and zealous. To remind
them of their duty he pointed out to them the symbols in
their robes of state. Some had a sun, moon, and stars em-
broidered upon them. This he said points out the knowledge
of which we ought to be possessed, in order to rule well. The
mountains indicate the and firmness of which we
constancy
stand in need; the dragon denotes, that we ought to use
every means to inspire the people with virtue ; the beauty and
of the colours of the remind us of the
variety pheasant good
example we ought to give, by practising the various virtues.
In the upper robe, we behold six different kinds of embroidery,
which are to remind us of the virtues to be on our
engraved
breast. The vase, which we are used to see in the hall of the
ancestors, is a symbol of obedience and of filial piety : the
herb is a of
aquatic symbol purity and disinterestedness;
the fire, of zeal and love for virtue; the rice, of the plenty
which we ought to procure for the people ; the hatchet is a
symbol of justice in the punishment of vice ; and the dresses,
Foo and Fuh (see No. 50), are symbols of the discernment
which we ought to have of good and evil."
It would seem from the above that Foo and Fuh are dresses,
and Morrison in his one of the word
dictionary gives reading
Foo: "The fore part of a garment, that which hangs down
"
before in Asiatic garments and covers the inferior garments ;
"
while among the various meanings of the word Fuh, Name
of a certain garment," and again, " A wide piece of cloth or
silk; a roll or piece of cloth, or silk, or paper. A picture
which rolls up. The ends of a roll ornamented ; applied
figuratively to producing an effect on the people by virtue."
It may be that No. 50 was intended to represent the upper
garment of the Chinese, which is cut very square, and hangs
down back and front. The head would be inserted at the
centre of the cross, the two halves of the garment buttoning
over the shoulder, while the two on each side would
openings
allow for the arms, back and front.
play

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