Palace Museum's viral earphones in 2014

A first for the Palace Museum: One of its cultural creative products going viral

Back in October 2014, the Palace Museum launched a wave of cultural creative products that took the internet by storm. Standing out among them were the wired earphones inspired by court beads – a type of necklace worn as an essential element of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) ceremonial clothing uniform.

Either imitating the honey amber beads or featuring pearls, the earphones are worn around the neck just like their historical counterparts. What was once a mark of imperial status has now become a trendy everyday utensil – a reminder that tradition can live vibrantly in modern life.