Red silk robe worn by female general from the late Ming Dynasty

This stunning red silk robe, intricately decorated with gold-thread embroidery, once belonged to the legendary female general Qin Liangyu (1574-1648) from the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

With four-claw dragons embroidered on the front and back, along with symmetrical phoenixes on the sleeves and hem, this robe displays exquisite craftsmanship. The flower and auspicious cloud motifs woven between the dragons and phoenixes further enhance its beauty.

Through this robe, we can almost picture Qin Liangyu’s majestic presence on the battlefield, bravely leading her troops to victory. Currently housed at Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum, it is a powerful reminder of a fearless woman from Chinese history.