Red Satin Official Mang-Dragon Robe with Embroidered Gold Dragons on Subdued Eight-Immortals Ground

 This mang-dragon (i.e., four-clawed dragon) robe was worn as a costume in the Official Promotion Dance (Tiao jiaguan) of traditional Nuo performances. Presented as an opening act, the dance featured an actor dressed in a red robe in the role of a “Heavenly Official” who would show a scroll inscribed with auspicious phrases such as “The Heavenly Official bestows blessing” (Tianguan ci fu) and “Official Promotion brings fortune” (Jiaguan jin lu) to the audience.

Translated and edited by Adam J. Ensign and Zhuang Ying