Three types of silk weaving, the pinnacle of Jiangnan silk weaving techniques!

The Jiangnan Three Weaving Bureaus were responsible for weaving luxurious silk fabrics for the imperial court and government offices, collectively known as the "Jiangnan Three Weaving Bureaus." Their exquisite craftsmanship, superb techniques, and beautiful fabrics represent the highest level of silk weaving techniques in the Qing Dynasty. The clothing followed "fixed styles," the silk fabrics had to be "fixed lengths," and production was limited to "fixed times." The woven silk fabrics came in a wide variety of types and diverse compositions. The weaving patterns emphasized auspicious meanings, with rich and harmonious color schemes, often using five colors: blue, red, black, white, and yellow. During the Qing Dynasty, the Jiangnan region became the largest silk production area and silk weaving center in the country. The silk needed by the Jiangnan Three Weaving Bureaus was mainly purchased at market prices in Suzhou, Hangzhou, Jiaxing, and Huzhou, and dyed in Suzhou. Most of the dyes used in ancient times were plant-based. Nanjing was famous for its black, sky blue, and dark blue colors, while Suzhou was known for its sky blue, royal blue, and jade colors. Hangzhou was known for its lake blue, light blue, and dark green colors. In the Qing Dynasty, yellow was the highest-ranking color, while blue was the most solemn color. All official clothing from the first to the ninth rank was either stone blue or blue. The most important color matching technique in Qing Dynasty clothing was the three blue color gradients, which included navy blue, royal blue, and moon white. Patterns reflecting rank and power included dragon and phoenix patterns, python patterns, and sea and river patterns. Patterns exclusively for imperial and empress clothing included dragon patterns, phoenix patterns, and the Twelve Symbols (Qianlong). The Twelve Symbols each had specific meanings and symbolic significance: the sun, moon, and stars represented illumination; mountains represented stability; dragons represented adaptability; insects represented literary talent; axes represented decisiveness; the character "fu" represented discernment; ancestral vessels represented loyalty and filial piety; algae represented purity; fire represented brightness; and rice represented nourishment. The Eight Immortals' hidden treasures included the fan, sword, fishing drum, jade tablet, gourd, flower basket, lotus, and flute. The Eight Treasures included coral beads, gold and silver ingots, scrolls, rhinoceros horns, square and double victories, ancient coins, fire beads, pen holders, ruyi heads, conch shells, cymbals, and autumn leaves. The Eight Auspicious Symbols included the conch (good luck), the wheel (endless life), the parasol (protection), the white canopy (freedom from illness and poverty), the lotus (purity), the treasure vase (success and fame), the double fish (happiness and protection), and the endless knot (longevity).