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