---
title: Rank Badge with Qilin (Late 17th Century)
author: Unknown Artist
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18962/rank-badge-with-qilin-late-17th-century/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2026-03-27
---

# Rank Badge with Qilin (Late 17th Century)

_Authored by Unknown Artist_

## Image File

[![Rank Badge with Qilin (Late 17th Century)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/18962.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/18962.jpg)

## Image Caption

Rank badge with [qilin](https://www.worldhistory.org/Qilin/), [silk](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silk/) and metallic thread embroidery on plain-weave silk patterned in gauze, by an unknown artist, [China](https://www.worldhistory.org/china/), late 17th century China.

This embroidered rank badge is from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and was used to indicate military rank. Badges with a qilin, a Chinese mythological creature, were worn by high-ranking military officers. It is thought that the variation in appearance of the qilin on rank badge designs, even from the same period, is because they were individually tailored at the wearer's expense.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Artist, U. (2024, May 21). Rank Badge with Qilin (Late 17th Century). *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18962/rank-badge-with-qilin-late-17th-century/>
### Chicago
Artist, Unknown. "Rank Badge with Qilin (Late 17th Century)." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 21, 2024. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18962/rank-badge-with-qilin-late-17th-century/>.
### MLA
Artist, Unknown. "Rank Badge with Qilin (Late 17th Century)." *World History Encyclopedia*, 21 May 2024, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18962/rank-badge-with-qilin-late-17th-century/>.

## License & Copyright

© [Metropolitan Museum of Art](http://metmuseum.org/), NY. As part of the [Met's Open Access policy](https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/policies-and-documents/open-access), the Metropolitan Museum of Art has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this dataset. [Original image](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/69079) by [**Unknown Artist**](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/69079). Submitted by [Joanne Taylor](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/joannetaylor/ "User Page: Joanne Taylor"), published on 21 May 2024. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.