9 Things About Taoist Robes (Daopao)：History,Classification and Feng Shui Value

Taoist Robes, as a part of Chinese traditional culture, carries profound historical and cultural significance. From traditional Taoist robes to various ceremonial garments, each attire holds unique symbolic meanings and etiquette norms.

1.What is the Taoist Robes?

Taoist Robes refers to Taoist clothing. Also known as "legal attire", "Taoist attire", "Daopao","daoism clothing", etc. Taoist clothing is the traditional clothing of the Chinese Han ethnicity.Social clothing has evolved over time, while the clothing of Taoism remains largely unchanged.

Daopao is a traditional Taoist ceremonial attire in Taoist culture. At the same time, it is also a religious ceremonial attire worn by Taoists or believers. With the return of Taoist culture, more and more people are falling in love with the elegant, simple and generous Taoist robes. In Taoist temples, we often see Taoist robes of different colors, which also have different etiquette norms and systems inside.

2.Classification of Daopao:

The Taoist robe refers to the long robe worn by Taoist believers outside. It can be divided into six or more types of clothing, including coats, dressings, ceremonial clothing, floral clothing, and patchwork clothing.

• Coat: Blue. The simplest style of Taoist robe, worn by Taoist believers on a daily basis. It is as long as the legs and wrists, with sleeves that carry around, and sleeves that are 1 foot 4 inches wide. It is the most common type of Taoist robe, used for daily wear. Blue represents the meaning of the Dharma.
  
  
  
• Deluo: Blue, about to become the official symbol of a Taoist, wearing a crown and scarf. The collar is loose, ankle length, and the sleeve width is one foot eight inches or more. The sleeve length is portable. Participate in religious activities. Only then can this garment be used.
  
  
• Ring Clothes: Yellow, a representative of the Taoist who accepts the precepts. Ring clothing, with a sleeve width of two feet and four inches or more, and a sleeve length for personal use. Yellow belongs to the soil, which can transform and nurture all things, indicating solemnity and symbolizing "Dao transforms all things, counselor transforms and nurtures".
  
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• Robe: Purple, known as the "Heavenly Immortal Cave Robe". Only Gao Gong, who holds large-scale religious ceremonies in the dojo, wears this robe. Double breasted, leg length, sleeveless drape, sleeve length for carrying. There are various Taoist auspicious patterns embroidered with gold and silver threads, such as sun, moon, stars, pagodas, dragons and phoenixes, cranes, etc.
  
  When the abbot wears this garment during the grand ceremony, it is purple. It is said that when Laozi, the founder of Taoism, rode a cow out of the pass, a purple aura came from the east, so Taoism reveres purple Taoist clothing. Since the Tang and Song dynasties, emperors have often bestowed purple Taoist costumes on the famous Taoist priest Gao Zhen.
  
  
• Hua Clothes:  It also belongs to the robe. Double breasted, leg length, sleeveless drape, sleeve length for carrying. There are also various embroidered patterns on it, but it appears more concise than the Heavenly Immortal Cave Clothes. When holding large-scale fasting ceremonies, many scripture masters use this garment. There are also non patterned class clothes, worn by monks in general dojo.
  
  
  
  
• Nai Clothes: It has a large front and is as long as the calves. Sewn with multiple layers of coarse fabric. In the past, it was worn by wandering Taoist priests during outdoor meditation to keep warm from the wind and cold. To this day, only a few Taoists still preserve the patchwork clothes passed down from generation to generation.
  
  

3.Daopao has seven colors and seven levels

We often see Taoist robes of different colors, which also represent different etiquette norms and systems of Taoist robes.

Among them, the robe is a specialized clothing for Taoist rituals. The yellow robe is worn by the Heavenly Master and Holy Lord, and is worn by kings. It is the best type of Daopao.

Level 7: White Ritual Robe for Underworld Deity

The white robe is worn by the underworld department (responsible for managing the underground in Taoism).

Level 6: Black Ritual Robe for Dipper Department

The black robe is a common attire worn by the Dipper Department (a Taoist monk responsible for rituals such as bowing to the dojo and wishing birthday).


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Level 5: Green Robe Lower level Mage, Scattered Immortal

In Taoism, there are no formal positions or lower level mages who wear clothing, and it is also worn by scattered immortals (practitioners who do not have a fixed residence or walk freely in Taoism).

Level 4: Medium Mage in Blue Robe

In Taoism, it is worn by monks with average level and experience, and is also commonly used for worship (praying to the Doumu Star God for blessings and disaster relief) or birthday (celebrating birthdays or birthdays for people).

Level 3: High level mages in red robes

It is worn by experienced and skilled monks in teaching, and is also used when praying for peace and auspiciousness from the gods.

Level 2: Purple Mage is a high-level mage and Heavenly Master veteran

The purple robe worn by high-ranking mages (those with high knowledge and cultivation in Taoism) during preaching (explaining Taoist scriptures) can also be worn by senior officials loyal to the Heavenly Master or high-ranking mages (those with high status and ability in Taoism).

Level 1: Yellow Mage King, Heavenly Master Holy Lord

The yellow robe is worn by the king (the highest leader in Taoism) and is the most advanced type of robe. The Heavenly Master (the most prestigious title in Taoism) also often wears a yellow robe.

The above clothing is designed to be large and loose, symbolizing the preservation of the universe and the separation of the mortal world.
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4.Maoshan Taoist clothing

The clothing of Maoshan Taoist is a traditional Taoist attire with profound cultural heritage and historical significance.

Its colors are mostly cyan or blue, symbolizing the meaning of the Dharma and the vastness of the sky and water. The green or blue robe is the daily attire worn by Maoshan Taoists and is also a necessary attire for them to participate in religious activities. In addition to cyan or blue, Maoshan Taoist also has other colors of clothing, such as yellow, purple, red, etc. These colors represent different levels and identities, as well as different purposes and meanings. Yellow represents punishment and combat.



The clothing of Taoists in Maoshan is usually a long robe with a double front, which extends to the calves or ankles. The sleeves are loose and long, and sometimes there are lace or edging at the cuffs. The double breasted robe is the most common and basic style in Taoist clothing, and it is also the most in line with Taoist ideology and aesthetics.

The double breasted robe has the characteristics of being bulky and loose, with a straight collar, symbolizing the preservation of the universe and the separation of the mortal world. Loose and long sleeves indicate freedom and freedom from constraints. Lace or edging adds a touch of grandeur and delicacy.

At the same time, there are usually various embroidered or printed patterns on clothing, which are auspicious symbols or magical symbols in Taoist culture, with rich meanings and symbolic meanings.

5.The History of Daopao

The Taoist robe has been passed down in an orderly manner and has never been cut off as the authentic Taoist robe. The "Jade Annals of Emperor Zhidao Taiqing" states: "In ancient times, the attire and crown were all worn by the Yellow Emperor. Since the reign of King Wuling of Zhao, it was changed to Hu attire, while in China, there have been slight changes.

5.1 Since the beginning of Taoism, there have been many requirements for Taoist robes! At the beginning of the emergence of Taoism, Taoist clothing was made by plucking velvet from a cloak (the feather of a bird) and then weaving it, known as a crane cloak. The method of making it dates back to the feather coat worn by Fang Shiluan during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han. It was sleeveless and draped like a bird's wing, symbolizing the ascent of immortals.

5.2 During the Southern and Song dynasties, Lu Xiujing's Taoist attire was divided into two types: draped and brown. Phi refers to cloak like clothing, such as the Xia Pei worn by a monk on his shoulder, and brown refers to the Taoist robe today.

5.3  Southern and Northern Dynasties:Afterwards, it was gradually revised, and by the end of the Southern and Northern Dynasties, a complete set of clothing and rituals had basically been formed. According to the "Agreement on Supporting the Gods in the Book of Taoism," it is stated that "the attire of Laozi and his disciples should not be changed from the secular style." It is required that Taoists should not wear clothing that seeks new styles from the secular world and should maintain the ancient Chinese style.

5.4 Song Dynasty:Daopao was originally worn by Taoist priests, but since the Song Dynasty, emperors and scholars have also worn it. Wearing a Taoist robe, it became a symbol of the literati's independence from the world and a home for spiritual retreat.

5.5 In the Ming Dynasty, the Taoist robe became the common attire for the emperor and the common people. The Ming Dynasty regarded Emperor Zhenwu as the protector of the country and Taoism as the national religion, so people all over the world wore Taoist robes and became popular. So Taoist robes are not exclusive clothing for Taoist priests, and ordinary people can also wear them. Although there are often slight changes in the styles of Taoist robes, the colors are mostly blue, black, and so on.

5.6 In the following centuries, Taoist costumes were loved by people of all classes and never left the historical stage. After the New Culture Movement, traditional clothing and Taoist costumes of the Han ethnic group gradually withdrew from people's daily wear. However, in Taoist temples and temples, Taoist believers still fully inherit this characteristic culture

There are many taboos regarding Taoist attire, such as ordinary people not wearing regular attire or legal attire (this is white attire for sitting), Taoist children who have not worn hats are not allowed to wear Taoist attire, they cannot cross levels of Taoist attire after entering the Taoist realm, and should wear different colors and levels of Taoist attire in different places, and should not be confused.

6.Which museums have Taoist Attire in their collections?

Taoist Attire are cultural and historical artifacts that are collected and displayed in many museums and collections. Here are some famous museums and collections that collect Taoist Attire and costumes:

China National Museum:

As one of the largest museums in China, the National Museum of China has a large collection of Chinese historical relics, including Taoist Attire and costumes.

National Palace Museum, Taipei:

The Taipei Palace Museum has rich Chinese cultural heritage, including various religious relics such as Taoist Attire and costumes.

The British Museum:

The British Museum has a vast collection of Asian art, including Taoist Attire and costumes.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York:

The Asian Art Department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art has a collection of many Chinese religious and ceremonial costumes, including Taoist Attire.

The RISD Museum:

The RISD Museum includes some Taoist Attire and related artifacts.

These museums help audiences better understand and appreciate China's religious culture and history by showcasing Taoist Attire and other related cultural relics. If you have the opportunity to visit these museums, you can witness these precious cultural relics with your own eyes.
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7.Where can I Buy a Taoist Robe?

In the United States, there are several online stores and platforms that offer Taoist Robes. Here are some online channels for purchasing Taoist robes and clothing:

eBay：There are some sellers on eBay who specialize in selling Taoist clothing.

Etsy：There are many sellers of handicrafts and traditional clothing on Etsy, as well as some shops selling Taoist robes and clothing.

Professional Taoist supplies store:

Some online stores that specialize in selling Taoist supplies also offer Taoist robes and clothing.

For example:

FengShuiDiy Store: This is my website that specializes in providing various FengShui products and sharing various Feng Shui knowledge. We sell Taoist robes and clothing，taoist robes for sale.

Before purchasing, it is recommended to carefully review the product description and seller reviews to ensure that you have purchased Taoist robes that meet your needs and expectations. In addition, pay attention to checking delivery options and times, especially when purchasing from international sellers. For example, purchasing from my website will take approximately 15-25 days for shipping.

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Conclusion:

Taoist Robes is not only a traditional attire but also a representation of Chinese traditional culture and Taoist beliefs. By understanding its classification, meanings, and treasures in museums, we can not only appreciate its rich cultural connotations but also experience the historical heritage and spiritual strength it embodies. May every piece of Taoist attire continue to uphold the brilliance of tradition, showcasing the beauty of following the natural way for all to see.

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