Mangfu

Mangfu (Chinese: 蟒服; pinyin: mǎngfú; lit. 'python clothing/python garment'), also known as mǎngpáo (蟒袍; 'python robe'), Huāyī (花衣; 'flower clothing'), and python robe, sometimes referred as dragon robe although they are different garments, is a type of paofu, a robe, in hanfu. The mangfu falls under the broad category of mǎngyī (蟒衣; 'python clothes'), where the mangfu is considered the classic form of mangyi. The mangfu was characterized by the use of an embroidery pattern called mǎng (蟒; 'python'), although this is a name for a four-clawed Chinese dragon-like creature, not a python snake. The mangfu was derived from the lóngpáo (龙袍; 龍袍; 'dragon robe') in order to differentiate monarchs and subjects; i.e. only the Emperor is allowed to wear the long, five-clawed dragon, while his subjects wear mang. The mangfu was worn in the Ming and Qing dynasties. They had special status among the Chinese court clothing as they were only second to the longpao. Moreover, their use were restricted, and they were part of a special category of clothing known as cìfú (赐服; 賜服; 'bestowed clothing'), which could only be awarded by the Chinese Emperor (or by the Empress Dowager on the behalf of the Emperor) in the Ming and Qing dynasties, becoming "a sign of imperial favour". People who were bestowed with mangfu could not exchange it with or gifted it to other people. They were worn by members of the imperial family below of crown prince, by military and civil officials, and by Official wives. As an official clothing, the mangfu were worn by officials during celebration occasions and ceremonial events. They could also be bestowed by the Emperor to people who performed extraordinary services to the empire as rewards, to the members of the Grand Secretariat and to prominent Daoist patriarchs, imperial physicians, tributary countries and local chiefs whose loyalty were considered crucial to secure the borders. The mangfu is also used as a form of xifu, theatrical costume, in Chinese opera, where it is typically found in the form of a round-necked robe, known as yuanlingpao. In Beijing opera, the mangfu used as xifu is known as Mang.