[4] Lishui represents the deep sea under which the ocean surges and waves;[1][4] it is therefore typically topped with "still water" (woshui (Chinese: 卧水; pinyin: wòshuǐ), also called pingshui (Chinese: 平水; pinyin: píngshuǐ)), which is represented by concentric semicircle patterns which runs horizontally.

[3]: 100, 117  Lishui was used to decorate garments,[5] including the bottom hem and cuffs of some of the court clothing of the Qing dynasty.

[8]: 389  Therefore, when worn together, these motifs mean that the wearer of clothing is the "centre of the symbolic universe" being the ruler over the waters, the Earth and Heavens.

[9]: 33  Other forms of court robes in Ming dynasty worn by nobles, officials and their wives (such as the bufu, i.e. robe with mandarin square) also used ocean waves patterns in the form of concentric semicircles (woshui) as clothing ornaments.

By the end of the 17th century, the Manchu rulers wanted to re-imagine the imagery of their dragon robes to emphasize on the centrality of the emperor within the cosmos and within the imperial court.

[4][13][14] Designs and construction of the Qing dynasty court robes were enacted and regulated through imperial edicts; the dress code was a mixed of Manchu (i.e. clothing cut-style) and Ming dynasty Chinese traditions in terms of prescribed designs.

[5] They could also be used to decorate the wedding attire[16] and xiapei of the Han Chinese women in the Qing dynasty.