Fantasy and MagicA Fun Blog of Unique & Well Crafted Figurines of Angels, Fairies, Dragons, Miniatures Models and other Collectible Treasures

Friendly yet dangerous, benign yet powerful, the Chinese dragon has long been worshipped as a dynamic symbol of vitality in the Far East. Rising into the heavens, the dragon would call forth the rains that kept life flowing within an ancient civilization dependent on agriculture. The dragon was believed to make an appearance in the sky whenever a new emperor was born, and in this way the dragon became a symbol of imperial Chinese leadership and authority.

Dragons on robes began as a purely informal fashion during the Ming dynasty, quickly became the highest form of official dress. Dragon robes were adopted by the rulers during the Qing dynasty and became part of the wardrobe of the imperial court. Their use declined with the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911, although members of the Imperial Family continued to wear them on formal occasions until departing the Forbidden City in 1924.

Today, most Chinese Dragon Robes are found in the West, having been removed from China during times of distress, such as the sacking of the Summer Palace in1860 and the overthrow of the Qing dynasty in 1911, when westerners in Beijing were able to get a hold of robes from nobles anxious for quick cash. Unlike today’s apparel many dragon robes were never worn, and some never made it through the inspection process implemented by the imperial household.

For the aspiring collector, dragon robes can be obtained from antique dealers or auction houses in the United States and Europe. Before buying a robe, any collector should consider how best to display the robe. Robes sent to Tibet by rulers of the Ming dynasty five hundred years ago came to light when they were revealed in 1980. The display was critical to establishing the fact that silk robes can survive centuries proper care.

Common methods for displaying a fine silk robe include within a Plexiglas box with holes to allow for proper ventilation. Another way to do it is to hang the robe from a padded pole, but a treasured robe should never be exposed to strong sunlight which can cause fading. And a robe should never be displayed beneath a spotlight. Most classic examples of the fine art of Dragon Robes have been preserved in museums. The Palace Museum in Beijing has perhaps the finest collection in the world, but they are seldom on display for the public.

Source: Valery M. Garrett’s Chinese Dragon Robes

About the Author:

Classic Fashion: Chinese Dragon Robes is focus on Chinese fashion founded by Rich Christiansen for SKMENSWEAR | big and tall suits. Rich Christiansen has founded or co-founded 27 companies of which 8 have become multi-million dollar companies. With his rich experience, he has also built many successful companies of his own. His true passion and talent is in the startup and launch of technology oriented companies.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Classic Fashion: Chinese Dragon Robes

Chinese Dragon Boat Festival and New Year Dragon Dance

Chinese Guardian Lions (Foo Dogs) Bronze Finish Bookends $20.99 This pair of gorgeous Chinese Guardian Lions, also known as Fu or Foo Dogs, bookends are the perfect gift for lovers of Asian art. Made of cold cast resin, they are finished in a lustrous bronze enamel, with intricate detail and adornments. Each bookend measures 5 1/2 inches tall, 2 3/4 inches wide and 3 3/4 inches deep. This pair also makes a great present for the holidays or for housewarming gif…

Chinese Feng Shui I Ching Divination Coins for Success – 2 sets of 3 $7.29 I-Ching divination coins! These powerful tools are very popular among I-Ching practitioners and Feng Shui masters. Originating from the late Ching Dynasty, they come in a set of six. The coins can also be used as a ‘metal’ remedy to counteract sha-chi generated by ‘earth sha’. This is because earth chi is weakened by metal chi. I-Ching coins are the most popular form of Metal remedy….

Two (2) Chinese Paper Dragon Decorations $9.95 Well, ya, I know. It’s NOT Tiki, but I always Liked having a few of these dragons hanging around. Expands To Approximately 78″ With An Attached String Hangers. (2 Dragons per order)…

The Essential Yo-Yo Ma $12.16 Here are three dozen pieces of music, all played by Yo-Yo Ma, culled from his extensive discography. Aside from the technical mastery and beautiful tone that are absolutes in all of his playing, one is dazzled by his curiosity and ability to adapt to so many forms and types of music. His Bach and Vivaldi are pellucid and played with non-sentimental crispness, his tango music gritty and rhythmical…

Cirque du Soleil – Alegria (Live in Sydney) $9.75 No Description Available.Genre: Performing Arts – Ballet/DanceRating: NRRelease Date: 7-OCT-2003Media Type: DVD…

Silk Road Journeys: When Strangers Meet $9.46 This disc introduces Yo-Yo Ma’s latest and most ambitious adventure, the Silk Road Project. It explores the cultures that flourished along the Silk Road, the ancient trade route that for centuries connected Europe and the East. Founded by Ma in 1998, the project aims to create connections, mutual trust, and cultural interchange between people from different parts of the world through their only sh…

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon [VHS] $1.47 Hong Kong wuxia films, or martial arts fantasies, traditionally squeeze poor acting, slapstick humor, and silly story lines between elaborate fight scenes in which characters can literally fly. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has no shortage of breathtaking battles, but it also has the dramatic soul of a Greek tragedy and the sweep of an epic romance. This is the work of director Ang Lee, who fell …

Jackie Chan – Black Dragon (A.K.A. Miracles) [VHS] $2.00 Directed by and starring Jackie Chan, and set in 1930s Hong Kong, Miracles is a gangster film that is equal parts comedy and action film, with a touch of melodrama thrown in for good measure. Chan stars as a young man who rescues a dying crime boss in 1930s Hong Kong. When the boss passes away, he is tapped to become the new leader. He attributes his good luck to an old rose seller and the roses h…

Dragons Forever [VHS] $19.98 A fitfully amazing, frequently disheartening hodgepodge of action, farce, and romance, slapped together as a costarring vehicle for three of Hong Kong’s major movie stars: Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung (who also directed), and Yuen Biao. Its light-footed, try-anything spirit makes it consistently enjoyable, but these wonderful performers are working (to put it kindly) beneath their gifts. Chan plays a w…

Zippo Black Widow & Spider Web Chrome Lighter, 9202 $19.65 Zippo “Black Widow & Spider Web” Chrome Lighter, 9202…

href="http://www.statcounter.com/wordpress.org/"
target="_blank"> src="http://c.statcounter.com/5416568/0/3e90acc9/1/"
alt="wordpress stats " border="0">