The mangfu falls under the broad category of mangyi (Chinese: 蟒衣; pinyin: mǎngyī; lit.

[1] The mangfu was characterized by the use of a python embroidery called mang (Chinese: 蟒; pinyin: mǎng; lit.

[2][4]: 18, 20  They could also be bestowed by the Emperor to people who performed extraordinary services to the empire as rewards, to the members of the Grand Secretariat and to prominent Daoist patriarchs, imperial physicians, tributary countries and local chiefs whose loyalty were considered crucial to secure the borders.

[8] In ancient China, there is a clear difference between monarchs and subjects; therefore, the Emperor wears the long, Chinese dragon patterns, on their clothing called longpao (龙袍; 龍袍; lóngpáo; 'dragon robe') while the officials, being the subjects of the Emperor, wear the mang (蟒; mǎng; 'python').

[1][6]: 204 In the Ming dynasty, Bian Yong, the Chief Censor of the Emperor Hongzhi, described the mang as having "no horns and legs"; however, during his time:[9] the mang robe worn by internal officials (eunuchs) is very similar to the image of the dragon", therefore not fitting the regulationsShen Defu also described the mang as being similar to the long in appearance with the number of their claws as the main difference:[9] The mang robe is a garment with an image close to a dragon, similar to the dragon robe of the top authority (the emperor), except for the deduction of one claw.After the Ming dynasty, it was expressed that a long (lit.

[2] Shen Defu also explained that the most valued form of mang pattern was the zuomang (Chinese: 坐蟒; lit.

'Miscellaneous notes of Wanli'》by Shen Defu, during this period, eunuchs were parading in the streets of the capital wearing mangfu and douniufu while women (especially wives of the elite class) were wearing embroidered robes with designs, such as the qilin, feiyu and zuomang (坐蟒; 'seated python') in front of the senior officials.

[5][9] According to Shen Dufu, the sumptuary laws were being trespassed and the fault was that of the Emperor who was failing at regulating the possession robes adorned with imperial insignia.

[1] According to the Ming shi, in 1530, it was decreed that the Head of the jinyiwei had to wear a red-coloured mangfu or feiyufu with a wushamao (lit.

[1] In 1578, Great Empress Dowager Li bestowed mangfu to Zhang Juzhen on behalf of the Emperor.

[10]There are also strict regulations on the robes' colour and the numbers of mang that were allowed to decorate the mangfu:[2][4]: 18 The xifu, Chinese opera costumes, were made based on the clothing style of the Ming dynasty while also absorbing clothing features of the Song, Yuan, and Qing dynasties.

[11]: 300 In Chinese opera, the theatrical mangfu is the highest of formal, ceremonial robe worn by performers in the roles of emperors, princes, officials (ministers for specific occasions, such as court audience), and generals.

[8] The colours used in the Mang also have clear symbolism: red means majestic and noble; green means mighty and bold; white represents handsome young people; black is used to represent people who are upright and unconstrained.