Rank Badge with Lion

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

During the Ming dynasty, the audience robes of government officials bore insignia designating rank. While different birds represented civil ranks, military ranks were represented by a variety of real and mythical quadrupeds. The lion, as seen on this badge, symbolizes the highest military rank.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art