Eric Henry
Old writings relate that “the unrestrained satisfaction of base urges is the distinguishing trait of birds and beasts; unprincipled acquiescence in any deed is the distinguishing trait of semisavage hillbillies; attachment to place and unwillingness to move elsewhere is the distinguishing trait of the common people; discrimination between right and wrong and familiarity with ancient and modern modes of behavior are the distinguishing traits of men-of-service; presentation of the worthy and promotion of the capable are the distinguishing traits of court officers; reverence for that which is above and love for that which is below are the distinguishing marks of a territorial lord; and providing a protective canopy for all, like heaven, and firm vehicular support for all, like the earth, are the distinctive traits of a Son of Heaven. This being the case, men-of-service wear formal attire with blackand-white hatchet-shaped designs (fu 黼); court officers wear formal attire with a black-and-white rectilinear design (fu 黻); territorial lords wear formal attire with representations of flame; whereas the Son of Heaven wears formal attire adorned with mountain and dragon motifs.