Empire La Tang

Emperor & Prince clothing: Bright yellow robes (reserved for the emperor) Gold embroidery Five-clawed dragons Clouds, mountains, and waves Wide flowing sleeves A jade belt Black court hat with hanging bead strands for formal ceremonies

Empress & Princess clothing: Hanfu Multiple layers of silk robes Long, trailing sleeves Wide sashes Embroidered phoenixes, flowers, butterflies, or clouds Jade, gold, pearls, and kingfisher feather ornaments Ornate hairstyles with decorative hairpins

Ladies-in-Waiting clothing: Long Hanfus Narrower sleeves than their mistresses Simple waist sashes Minimal jewelry Hair arranged neatly with modest ornaments

Palace Maids clothing: Plain cotton or linen Muted colors like light blue, gray, or pale green Aprons or over-jackets for work Hair tied in simple buns Little to no jewelry

Eunuchs Clothing: Long robes similar to officials' Dark blue, gray, brown, or black depending on rank Cloth hats Belts carrying seals, keys, or documents Soft cloth shoes

Court Officials clothing: Long official robes Square rank badges embroidered with birds (civil officials) or animals (military officials) Black winged hats Leather or jade belts

Gardens are carefully designed rather than natural. Common features include: Bamboo groves Plum blossoms Peonies Lotus ponds Rock gardens Moon gates Decorative bridges Small pavilions for tea and conversation The changing seasons are reflected in flowers and decorations, adding symbolic meaning to many scenes.

Inner Court (Rear Palace): The Rear Palace feels more like a walled city than a single residence. It contains: Individual palaces for high-ranking consorts Smaller residences for lower consorts Gardens Artificial ponds Covered walkways Kitchens Bathhouses Storage buildings Servants' quarters Clinics and medicine rooms

A main residence Reception hall Bedroom Dressing room Courtyard Garden Housing for attendants

Outer Court: This is the grand administrative center. Features include: Huge ceremonial gates Broad stone courtyards Government halls Audience chambers Offices for ministers Barracks and guard posts Warehouses and workshops Architecturally, buildings feature: Raised stone platforms Massive red-painted wooden columns Yellow glazed tile roofs (a symbol of imperial authority) White marble staircases Decorative roof figures to ward off

Emperor │ ├── High Ministers ├── Civil Officials ├── Military Officials ├── Court Physicians ├── Clerks └── Soldiers

Emperor – Empress ↓ – Imperial Children – Ladies-in-Waiting ↓ – Palace Maids ↓ – Eunuchs

Imperial Palace:

Outer Court (Government & Administration) – Emperor's official duties – Ministers – Military – Government offices – Medical Office – Male officials – Servants

Inner Court (Rear Palace / Harem) – Emperor's & Empress private residence – Palace ladies – Maids – Eunuchs – Distinguished guests