On Using Chinese Rank Badges in Russian Liturgical Textiles

Abstract

The collection of Sergiev Posad Museum-Reserve includes a liturgical set of an Aër and two chalice veils. The set, which dates as early as the second half of the 18th century, has been donated by Metropolitan Platon (Levshin). It is remarkable by its unusual images. The central part of the Aër is a red velvet square with embroidered images of dragons on its edges. The central part of each chalice veil is decorated by textile squares with an image of a bird standing on the rock among high waves and burgundy velvet margins. The central pictures of the Aër and the chalice veils are traditional Chinese Rank Badges referring to the Qing dynasty. The composition of the Rank Badges reveals the traditional Chinese notion of the entire universe as consisting of
the Sky, the Earth and the World Ocean. The Sun and a cloud-like pattern symbolize the Sky. The weathered spongy rock with a bird or an animal on it denotes the Earth. The Sea is embodied in the pattern of lishui that conditionally represents the depth of the Ocean, and also in the pattern of pingshui representing foam and waves.