Overview

Rank badges (Ch., buzi, J., buji) were square insignia on the front and back of robes worn by court officials during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) to signify their rank. The various ranks of the literary and military branches of the government were indicated by the birds and animals depicted on the badges. Officials of the literary branch wore bird insignia. Beginning in 1664, rank badges were fixed as follows: the first rank was indicated by a crane; the second, a golden pheasant; the third, a peacock; the fourth, a goose; the fifth, a silver pheasant; the sixth, an egret; the seventh, a Mandarin duck; the eighth, a quail; and the ninth, a paradise flycatcher.