Twelve Ornaments

They were employed in the decoration of textile fabrics in ancient China, which signified authority and power, and were embroidered on vestments of state.

“I wish,” said the Emperor, “to see the emblematic figures of the ancients: the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountain, the dragon, and the flowery fowl, which are depicted on the upper garment; the temple-cup, the aquatic grass, the flames, the grain of rice, the hatchet, and the symbol of distinction, which are embroidered on the lower garment; I wish to see all these displayed with the five colours, so as to form the official robes; it is yours to adjust them clearly.”[3][4] Only the emperor had the right to wear the complete set of twelve emblems painted or embroidered on his robes of ceremony.

This was also reflected in the robes they wore.In Japan, Emperor Monmu introduced the Twelve Ornaments via Taihō Code.

[10][11] It is only after Gojong proclaimed the Korean Empire, equal to China, that he was allowed to wear the 12 symbols.

[11] The meyonbok, featuring the Twelve Symbols, continue to be used in the Korean imperial household's Jongmyo Daejae ancestor-worship ceremony.

Portrait of the Wanli Emperor 's mianfu featuring the twelve ornaments
Twelve Symbols national emblem , the state emblem of China from 1913 to 1928
Yi Won , presiding at the 2008 Jongmyo Daejae , wearing myeonbok with the Twelve Symbols on it. He is also wearing a meyollugwan (headpiece) with twelve chains both at the front and back.