Imperial and noble ranks of the Qing dynasty
The Qing dynasty of China developed a complicated peerage system for imperial and noble ranks.
Rule of inheritance
In principle, titles were downgraded one grade for each generation of inheritance.- Direct imperial princes with the Eight Privileges were downgraded for four generations, after which the title can be inherited without further downgrades.
- Direct imperial princes without the Eight Privileges were downgraded until the rank of feng'en jiangjun, which then became perpetual.
- Cadet line imperial princes and lords were downgraded until they reached feng'en jiangjun, which could be further inherited three times before the title expired completely.
- For non-imperial peers, the title could be downgraded to en jiwei before becoming perpetually heritable.
The noble titles were inherited through a system of loose primogeniture: The eldest son from the peer's first wife was usually the heir apparent, but inheritance by a younger son, a son of a concubine, or brother of the peer was not uncommon. According to their birth and their father's rank, non-heir sons of imperial princes were also entitled to petition for a lower title than the one they would have received had they been the heir. Non-heir sons of other peers were also occasionally granted a lower title.
Whether imperial or not, the inheritance or bestowal was never automatic, and had to be approved by the Emperor, the Ministry of Personnel, or the Imperial Clan Court. Imperial princes, upon reaching adulthood at the age of 20, had to pass tests in horse-riding, archery and the Manchu language before they were eligible for titles. Imperial princesses, other than the Emperor's daughters, were usually granted titles upon marriage, regardless of age. Princesses' titles were also usually fixed after they were granted, and were not affected by changes in their fathers' nobility ranks.
Grading system
Yunjiwei was originally a military rank created in the Sui dynasty, but it was later turned into a military honour in the Tang dynasty as part of the xun guan system. The Qing dynasty abolished the separate military honour system and merged it into the nobility rank system, using yunjiwei as the lowest grantable rank of nobility, and the basic unit of rank progression.For example, a yunjiwei who received another grant of yunjiwei became a jiduwei. A first-class duke plus yunjiwei was the equivalent of 23 grants of yunjiwei.
Official rank (''pin'')
The Qing dynasty, much like previous dynasties, used an "official rank" system. This system had nine numbered ranks, each subdivided into upper and lower levels, in addition to the lowest "unranked" rank: from upper first pin, to lower ninth pin, to the unranked, for a total of 19 ranks. All government personnel, from the highest chancellors to the lowest clerk, held an official rank ex officio, which determined their salary, uniform, privileges and order of precedence.This pin system existed in parallel to the noble ranks detailed in this article. Many higher noble titles ranked above this system. And while some titles corresponded to a pin, they were considered equivalents of convenience rather than actual official ranks.
Titular names
Historically, Chinese noble titles were usually created with a shiyi each, although the fief could be only nominal. The Hongwu Emperor of the Ming dynasty enfeoffed cadet branch princes and other nobles in different regions of China. The Qing dynasty ended this tradition; with only a few exceptions, no fief was ever named. No Qing prince was enfeoffed with territory. Instead, noble titles were created without a name, or were bestowed a meihao. These names were usually descriptive of the peer's merit, virtue, or the circumstances leading to his ennoblement. The Dukes Yansheng kept their traditional fief in Shandong under Qing rule.Titular names were unique for imperial princes, while non-imperial peers' titular names may overlap. Following Ming dynasty tradition, single-character names were reserved for qinwangs, while junwangs used two-character names. All other peers normally had two-character names, but could receive up to four characters.
Since noble titles were primarily awarded for military service, the titular names predominantly described martial virtues, e.g., zhongyong gong. However, a particularly common titular name was cheng'en gong, which was frequently granted to the Empress's family members.
Imperial clan
Eight Privileges
At the top of the imperial hierarchy, the highest six ranks enjoyed the "Eight Privileges". These privileges were:- Promotional books inscribed on jade, set of seals for correspondence, red carriage wheels, purple horse reins, right for reported entry, red walls of the residence, use of corner lanterns, use of leopard tail guns.
- Precious stones on the mandarin hat crests, clothes with encircled dragon patterns, use of imperial porcelain tea sets, purple reins, red wheels, doornails on the gate, employment of guards.
- Finials on mandarin hats embellished with precious stones, use of two-eyed peacock feather, surcoats with encircled dragon patterns, purple reins, right to enter the imperial palace by horse, leopard tail guns, separate manor in the capital, employment of officials and eunuchs.
In 1816, the princes were forbidden from reporting matters via eunuchs. Thus, most of the princes employed officials as managers of domestic affairs. The range of tasks of those officials included conveyance of memorials on behalf of the prince. The supervisor of princely manor held lower 4 rank in 9-pin system.
Male members
Heshuo qinwang, commonly simplified to qinwang, translated as "King of the First Rank" or "Prince of the Blood". "Heshuo" means "four corners, four sides" in Manchu.- * Shizi, meaning "heir son", refers to the heir apparent to a qinwang.Duoluo junwang, commonly simplified to junwang, translated as "King of the Second Rank" or "Prince of a Commandery".
- * Zhangzi, meaning "eldest son" or "chief son", refers to the heir apparent to a junwang.Duoluo beile, means "lord", "prince" or "chief" in Manchu, commonly simplified to beile, and translated as "Prince of the First Rank", "Venerable Prince", or "Noble Lord". "Duoluo" means "virtue, courtesy, propriety" in Manchu. It was usually granted to the son of a qinwang or junwang. As beile is the best known Manchu, non-Chinese title, it is commonly used to refer to all Manchu princes.Gushan beizi, commonly simplified to beizi, and translated as "Prince of the Second Rank", "Banner Prince" or "Banner Lord". "Gushan" means "banner" in Manchu, a reference to any of the Eight Banners. "Beizi" is the plural form of "beile", but since 1636, "beile" and "beizi" were used to refer to two different ranks of nobility.
The above six ranks are titles that enjoy the "Eight Privileges". The titles below do not enjoy the "Eight Privileges" and have no imperial duties.Burubafen zhenguo gong, translated as "Duke Without the Eight Privileges Who Guards the State", also translated as "Lesser Defender Duke" or "Duke of the Third Rank".Burubafen fuguo gong, translated as "Duke Without the Eight Privileges Who Assists the State", also translated as "Lesser Bulwark Duke" or "Duke of the Fourth Rank".
All of the above titles are chaopin, outranking official ranks. The ranks below are ranked first to fourth pin respectively. The first three jiangjun ranks are each further subdivided into four classes: first class plus yunjiwei, first class, second class, and third class.Zhenguo jiangjun, translated as "General Who Guards the State", "Defender General", or " General of the First Rank".Fuguo jiangjun, translated as "General Who Assists the State", "Bulwark General", or " General of the Second Rank".Fengguo jiangjun, translated as "General Who Receives the State", "Supporter General", or " General of the Third Rank".Feng'en jiangjun, translated as "General Who Receives Grace", "General by Grace", or " General of the Fourth Rank". This rank has no sub-classes. This title is not granted per se, but were given to heirs of fengguo jiangjuns.
Regardless of title and rank, an imperial prince was addressed as "A-ge", which means "lord" or "commander" in Manchu.
Female members
The following titles were granted to female members of the imperial clan:Gulun gongzhu, translated as "Princess of the Empire" or "Princess of the First Rank". It was usually granted to a princess born to the Empress. "Gulun" means "all under Heaven" in Manchu.Heshuo gongzhu, translated as "Princess of the States" or "Princess of the Second Rank". It was usually granted to a princess born to a consort or concubine. "Heshuo" means "four corners, four sides" in Manchu.Junzhu, translated as "Princess of a Commandery" or "Princess of the Third Rank". It was usually granted to the daughter of a qinwang. Also called heshuo gege or qinwang gege, lit. "lady of a prince of the blood". Daughters of qinwang also could be promoted to heshuo gongzhu or gulun gongzhu if they were adopted as emperor's daughters.Xianzhu, translated as "Princess of a Perfecture" or "Princess of the Fourth Rank". It was usually granted to the daughter of a junwang or shizi. Also called duolun gege or junwang gege, lit. "lady of a prince of a commandery". Could be promoted to junzhu in special circumstances.Junjun, translated as "Lady of a Commandery" or "Lady of the First Rank". It was usually granted to a daughter born to a secondary consort of a qinwang or to the daughter of a beile. Also called duolun gege or beile gege, lit. "lady of a prince ". Could be promoted to xianzhu.Xianjun, translated as "Lady of a Perfecture" or "Lady of the Second Rank". It was usually granted to a daughter born to a secondary consort of a junwang or to the daughter of a beizi. Also called gushan gege, lit. "lady of a banner", or beizi gege, lit. "lady of a prince ".Xiangjun, translated as "Lady of a Township" or "Lady of the Third Rank". It was usually granted to the daughters of dukes with eight privileges or daughters born to a secondary consort of beile. Also called gong gege, lit. "lady of a duke".Zongnü, translated as "Clanswoman". This is not a granted title, but the honorific given to all daughters of dukes without eight privileges and jiangjuns, as well as all other untitled princesses. However,- * Daughters born to a secondary consort of a beizi are called wupinfeng zongnü, "clanswoman with stipend of the fifth pin".
- * Daughters born to a secondary consort of a feng'en zhenguo gong or feng'en fuguo gong are called liupinfeng zongnü, "clanswoman with stipend of the sixth pin".
Princesses' consorts
Efu, also known Fuma, translated as "Prince Consort". Its original meaning was "emperor's charioteer". It was usually granted to the spouse of a princess above the rank of zongnü. The efus were separated into seven ranks corresponding to the rank of the princesses the efu married. Efus who married gulun gongzhus and heshuo gongzhus held ranks equivalent to the beizis and dukes respectively. The remaining efus had equivalent official rank from the first to fifth pin.An efu retained his title and privileges as long as the princess remained his primary spouse – even after her death. However, if an efu remarried or promoted a consort to be his primary spouse, he lost all rights obtained from his marriage to the princess.
Princess consorts
The following titles were granted to consorts of imperial princes:- Primary consort also called grand consort, was given to the main wives of imperial princes above the rank of junwang. Imperial dukes' wives were titled "madame" . The main spouse of the crown prince was given the title "crown princess". Primary consorts of the emperor's sons could also be entitled "imperial princess consort". The title "crown princess" was equivalent to imperial noble consort, while "imperial princess consort" was equivalent to noble consort. The title "grand consort" was granted to main wives of Nurhaci and Hong Taiji and were equivalent to empress. Primary consorts were selected through receiving a ruyi scepter.
- Secondary consort was granted to secondary wives of imperial princes above the ranks of junwang. Secondary wives of the crown prince were given the title "crown prince's secondary consort". Secondary wives of the emperor's sons could also be titled "imperial secondary consort". Secondary consorts were selected by receiving an embroidered sachet.
- Mistress, little consort, concubine, or lesser consort was granted to concubines of imperial princes, dukes and generals. Mistresses were selected by receiving 100 taels.
Dead princesses consort of the emperor could be posthumously honoured as empress, ex. Lady Niohuru, first wife of Minning, was honoured as Empress Xiaomucheng, and Lady Sakda, first wife of Yizhu, was honoured as Empress Xiaodexian.
All princesses consort regardless of rank were listed in the imperial genealogy.
; Comparison of imperial titles for women
| Imperial consort | Imperial princess consort | Imperial clanswomen rank | Imperial Princess |
| Empress | Above the ranks | ||
| Imperial Noble Consort | Crown Princess | Above the ranks | Princess Imperial |
| Noble Consort | Princess Consort of the First Rank/Imperial Princess Consort | Above the ranks | Princess of the Impire |
| Consort | Hereditary Princess Consort of the First Rank | Above the ranks | Princess of the States |
| intermediate | Princess Consort of the Second Rank | Above the ranks | Princess of the Commandary |
| Concubine | Princess Consort of the Third Rank | Above the ranks | Princess of the Perfecture |
| Noble Lady | Princess Consort of the Fourth Rank | Above the ranks | Junjun |
| First Attendant | Duchess with eight privileges | Above the ranks | Xianjun |
| Second Attendant | Duchess without eight privileges | Above the ranks | Xiangjun |
| Wife of imperial general | from 1 to 6 | Clanswoman |
Others
At the beginning of the Qing dynasty, before the rank system was formalised, non-standard titles were also used, such as:Da beile, translated as "Grand Beile", assumed by Daišan during the tetrarchy, and by Huangtaiji prior to his ascension.Zhang gongzhu, translated as "Grand Princess", "Chief Princess", "Elder Princess" or "Princess Imperial", was granted to various daughters of Nurhaci and Huangtaiji. Title could be granted to eldest daughter of the Emperor or Emperor's sister.Da zhang gongzhu, translated as "Grand Princess Imperial", was never used in hierarchy, but could be granted to Emperor's paternal aunt. The only holder of this title was Gurun Princess Yongmu, daughter of Hong Taiji by Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang and aunt of the Kangxi EmperorNon-imperial nobility
Standard non-imperial titles
The following are the nine ranks of the peerage awarded for valour, achievement, distinction, other imperial favour, and to imperial consort clans.Gong, often referred to as min gong to differentiate from the imperial . Translated as "Duke" or "Non-imperial Duke". The title existed from around the Cao Wei period until the early years of the Ming dynasty, along with .Hou, translated as "Marquis" or "Marquess".Bo, translated as "Count".The above three ranks are chaopin, outranking official ranks. The four following ranks were all evolved from leadership ranks in the Manchu banner army, originally called ejen and later janggin.Zi, translated as "Viscount".Nan, translated as "Baron".Qingche duwei, translated as "Master Commandant of Light Chariot", roughly equivalent to a Knight Grand Commander.
All of the above ranks are sub-divided into four classes; in order: first class plus yunqiwei, first class, second class, and third class.Jiduwei, translated as "Master Commandant of Cavalry", rough equivalent of a Knight Commander. This rank is subdivided into two classes: jiduwei plus yunjiwei, and simply jiduwei.Yunqiwei, translated as "Knight Commandant of the Cloud", rough equivalent of a Knight Baronet or a German Hereditary Knight.Enjiwei, translated as "Knight Commandant by Grace", rough equivalent of an Knight Bachelor. This title was not granted per se, but bestowed on the heirs of yunjiweis without the privilege of perpetual inheritance.
Pre-standard non-imperial titles
At the beginning of the Qing dynasty, during Nurhaci's and Huangtaiji's reigns, the noble ranks were not yet standardised. Several titles were created that did not fit into the above system, mostly for defectors from the Ming dynasty. These titles were similar to the titles used in the Ming dynasty, and lack the Manchu nomenclature and the noble rank system introduced later.Qinwang, "Prince of the Blood", created for Wu Sangui and Shang Kexi.Junwang, "Prince of a Commandery", created for Fuhuan and Fukang'an.Wang, "Prince", created for Yangguli and several Ming defectors. The relation between wang and junwang is unclear: in both Ming and Qing traditions, single-character titular names were reserved for qinwangs, while junwangs received two-character titular names, but these wangs were created with both single and two-character titular names. Both Wu Sangui and Shang Kexi were promoted from wang to qinwang, but no wang was ever promoted to junwang or vice versa.Beile, "Lord", "Prince" or "Chief" in Manchu. It was the generic title of all Manchu lords during the Ming dynasty. Under the Qing dynasty, this title was generally reserved for imperials, but was retained by the princes of Yehe after their submission to Nurhaci.Beizi. Normally reserved for imperials, it was uniquely created for Fukang'an, before he was further elevated to junwang.Chaopin Gong, "High Duke", a unique rank created for Yangguli, before he was further elevated to wang. This title ranks just below beizi and above all other dukes.Gong, Hou, and Bo, similar to the later standard titles, but created without subclasses.Additionally, there were banner offices that later evolved into hereditary noble titles. Despite being used as noble titles, these offices continued to exist and function in the banner hierarchy. To distinguish the noble titles from the offices, they were sometimes called "hereditary office" or "hereditary rank".Gūsa-i ejen, meaning "colonel";
- * Evolved into zongbing, meaning "chief commander";
- * Then into amba janggin,, meaning "grand general";
- * Then into jinkini hafan, meaning "prime officer";
- * Which was finally Sinicised to become zi, meaning "viscount".Meiren-i ejen, meaning "vice colonel";
- * Evolved into fujiang, meaning "vice general";
- * Then into meiren-i janggin,, meaning "vice general";
- * Then into ashan-i hafan, meaning "vice officer";
- * Which was finally Sinicised to become nan, meaning "baron".Jalan-i ejen, meaning "staff captain";
- * Evolved into canjiang, meaning "staff general", or youji, meaning "vanguard" or "skirmish leader";
- * Then into jalan-i janggin,, meaning "general of a sub-banner";
- * Then into adaha hafan, meaning "chariot officer";
- * Which was finally Sinicised to become qingche duwei, meaning "master commandant of light chariot".Niru-i ejen, later Sinicised to become zuoling, meaning "assistant captain";
- * Evolved into beiyu, meaning "rearguard";
- * Then into niru-i janggin,, meaning "general of an arrow";
- * Then into baitalabura hafan, meaning "adjutant officer";
- * Which was finally Sinicised to become ji duwei, meaning "master commandant of cavalry".
Notable titles
- Duke Yansheng, granted to the heirs of the senior northern branch of Confucius in Qufu.
- Duke Hanjun, granted to Ming loyalist Zheng Keshuang, the once independent king of the Taiwan-based Kingdom of Tungning who surrendered to the Qing Empire in 1683, and his heirs.
- Duke Cheng'en, granted to fathers and brothers of empresses. This title had 3 subclasses.
- First Class Duke Zhongyong, granted to Fuca Fuheng for Xinjiang campaign.
- Count Zhongcheng, granted to Feng Xifan, a former Ming loyalist official in the Kingdom of Tungning.
- Marquis Jinghai, granted to Shi Lang and his heirs.
- Hereditary Magistrate of Guogan County, granted to Ming loyalist Yang Guohua, the ruler of the Kokang region in present-day Myanmar.
- Marquis Yan'en, granted to the heads of a cadet branch of the House of Zhu, the imperial clan of the Ming dynasty.
- Count Zhaoxin, granted to Li Shiyao, a descendant of Li Yongfang.
- First Class Marquis Yiyong, granted to Zeng Guofan and his descendants.
- Second Class Marquis Kejing, granted to Zuo Zongtang and his descendants.
- First Class Marquis Suyi, granted to Li Hongzhang and his descendants.
Non-imperial nobility titles for women
Mingfu was granted to wives of officials, non-imperial aristocrats and collateral clanswomen. Also, mothers of imperial consorts were granted a title of "mingfu" according to the rank held by her daughter as well as sisters of imperial consorts and fujins. Noblewomen were divided into 7 ranks according to the rank of her husband and her daughter, if her daughter was an imperial consort. If the title held by mingfus' husbands was divided into subclasses, they could be treated equally. Mingfus holding rank equivalent to wives of imperial generals conducted court ceremonies, ex. promotions of imperial consort, weddings of princes and princesses and rites, while lower rank ladies attended to them.Mingfu, whose husband was granted a title above the rank system, was treated similarly to imperial duchess, but enjoyed less privileges than imperial clanswoman. Collateral Gioro ladies were treated as mingfu from 1st to 3rd rank. Noblewomen were addressed as "furen" regardless of rank.
However，
- Wives of officials who received nobility title, were ranked according to the rank held by their husbands and could be further promoted. Sometimes, mingfus were given honorifical names, ex. Tatara Meixian, primary spouse of Niohuru Lingzhu, was styled as "Madam of Gaoming" by Kangxi Emperor personally.
- Sisters of imperial consorts, who weren't members of imperial family were given a title of mingfu and receive a title according to the position of their husbands.
- Mingfu retained her title even after divorce if her sister or daughter was imperial consort.
- Wives and mothers of dukes and aristocrats, who received pre-standard titles could be addressed as "fujin" – a title typical for imperial princess consort. For example, mother of Fuk'anggan, Lady Yehe-Nara was mentioned and addressed as "fujin", as a mother of Prince Jiayong of the Second Rank. Fukang'an's wife, Lady Irgen-Gioro was also addressed as "fujin". Their names were not listed in Jade Tables.
- Close friends and servants of imperial consorts who weren't members of ruling clan could receive a title of mingfu and rarely could be addressed as "gege". Although Sumalagu, a confidant of Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, was entitled as mingfu, grand empress dowager Xiaozhuang addressed her as "gege".
| Rank | Title | Title of imperial consort being a daughter of noblewoman | Imperial title equivalent |
| 1 | Viscountess | Empress/Empress Dowager | Wife of zhenguo jiangjun |
| 2 | Baroness | Imperial Noble Consort | Wife of fuguo jiangjun |
| 3 | Wife of qingche duwei | Noble Consort | Wife of fengguo jiangjun |
| 4 | Wife of jiduwei | Consort | Wife of feng'en jiangjun |
| 5 | Wife of yunjiwei | Imperial Concubine | Clanswoman |
| 6 | Wife of enjiwei | Noble Lady | Clanswoman |
| 7 | Wife of 7th rank official | First Attendant / Second Attendant |
Civil and honorary titles
With a few exceptions, the above titles were, in principle, created for only military merits. There were also titles for civil officials.While there were a few Manchu civil titles, the most important civil titles followed the Han Chinese Confucian tradition, derived from high bureaucratic offices or imperial household offices that evolved into honorary sinecures. These were sometimes granted as special privileges, but also often as a practical means of conferring official rank promotion without giving specific responsibilities. Examples of such titles were taibao, shaoshi, taizi taifu, furen and dafu. These titles were non-heritable.
In addition, there were also honorary and hereditary titles granted to religious and cultural leaders, such as:Wujing Boshi, a title used in the Hanlin Academy. It was awarded the southern branch of Confucius's descendants in Quzhou, and Mencius's descendants in Zoucheng, as well as descendants of Confucian sages, and descendants of Guan Yu and the Duke of Zhou. There were 22 of them. Zhang Zai's descendants received the "Wujing Boshi" appointment along with those of Zhu Xi, Cheng Hao, Cheng Yi and Zhou Dunyi.
- Zhengyi Si Jiao Zhenren, an honorary title awarded to Zhang Daoling's descendants and the Celestial Masters.
Ranks of protectorates and tributary states
The Qing imperial court also granted titles to princes of its protectorates and tributary states, mainly in Mongolia, Xinjiang and Tibet. The vassal titles were generally inherited in perpetuity without downgrading.The ranks roughly mirrored those of the imperial clan, with a few differences:Han, ranked higher than qinwang, and ranked only below the Emperor and the Crown Prince in the Qing hierarchy. Sometimes also called hanwang. The Emperor also used the title of dahan instead of Emperor in communiqués to the Central Asian states.
- Vassal princes who did not have the "Eight Privileges". There were no distinctions between dukes with or without the "Eight Privileges". There were only two ducal ranks: zhenguo gong and fuguo gong.
- Instead of the jiangjun ranks, the vassal lords held these titles:
- * Taiji, for members of the Borjigin clan.
- * Tabunang, for descendants of Jelme.
Under the tusi system, the Qing Empire also recognised various local tribal chieftainships of ethnic minority tribes. This was mainly applied in the mountain regions of Yunnan, but also in western and northern borderlands. They were the Chiefdom of Bathang, Chiefdom of Chuchen, Chiefdom of Lijiang, Chiefdom of Lithang, Chiefdom of Mangshi, Chiefdom of Tsanlha, Chiefdom of Yao'an, Chiefdom of Yongning, Mu'ege Chiefdom of Muli and Chiefdom of Langqu.
The Qing Empire had two vassals in Xinjiang, the Kumul Khanate and the Turfan Khanate.
Modernized awards/orders system
The modernized awards system, promulgated in 1882, was as follows in the following order :- Order of the Peacock Feather
- Order of the Blue Feather
- Order of the Double Dragon
- Order of the Imperial Throne
- Order of the Yellow Dragon
- Order of the Red Dragon
- Order of the Blue Dragon
- Order of the Black Dragon
Vassal nobilities replace Gold edging and F. simplex with silver edging and P. suffruticosa from the insinia of the matching rank of royals.
Other honours and privileges
In addition to systematized rank titles listed above, there were also other honorific titles and privileges, mostly non-heritable:- There were various Mongol/Manchu/Turkic titles, granted mainly to non-Han vassals and officials. Bitesi, baksi, jarguci were civil honours, while baturu, daicing, cuhur were military honours. Jasagh was granted to vassals with autonomous power, while darhan was a hereditary title divided into three classes. These titles were mostly awarded to Manchus and Mongols in the early Qing dynasty, but gradually fell out of use as the court became increasingly Sinicised.
- The privilege of wearing feathers on the mandarin hat; this privilege was known as lingyu :
- * Peacock feathers were usually worn by imperial princes, prince consorts, imperial bodyguards and some high-ranking officials. Exceptionally, peacock feathers may be granted as a special honour. Two-eyed and three-eyed feathers were very rarely bestowed – only seven peers ever received the three-eyed feathers, while two dozens received the two-eyed feathers.
- * Blue feathers were usually worn by household officials of the imperial and princely houses. Like peacock feathers, blue feathers may be granted as a special honour, usually to officials of the sixth pin and below.
- * Although a badge of honour, the feathers also symbolised bond servitude to the Emperor. As such, direct imperial clansmen and imperial princes ranked beile and above were prohibited from wearing feathers.
- The privilege of wearing the yellow jacket. This is usually the uniform of imperial bodyguards, but it could also be bestowed upon anyone by the Emperor. A rare honour in the early Qing dynasty, it was diluted through excessive grants in the late Qing era. The jacket may only be worn in the Emperor's presence.
- The privilege of wearing imperial girdles :
- * The yellow girdles were normally reserved for direct imperial clansmen, but may be granted to collateral imperial clansmen, known as gioro as an honour. The yellow girdle entitled the wearer to be tried by the Imperial Clan Court as opposed to the general or banner courts.
- * The red girdles were normally reserved for collateral imperial clansmen, or gioro, as well as demoted direct imperial clansmen. Non-imperials may be granted the Gioro surname and be adopted into the imperial clan, thus the privilege of wearing the red girdle.
- * The purple girdles were normally reserved for demoted gioro. Uniquely, the family of Dahai, the "saint of Manchu" and the inventor of the Manchu script, was granted the privilege of wearing purple girdles, to symbolise his family as the "second clan of Manchu ".
- Enshrinement in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Granted to deceased peers, therefore a privilege for all his descendants. They were worshipped alongside the imperial ancestors, and their descendants had the privilege of sending representatives to participate in the imperial ancestral rituals. Imperial and Mongol princes were housed in the east wing of the temple, while the others were housed in the west wing. This was an extremely high honour, granted only 27 times throughout the Qing dynasty. Zhang Tingyu was the only Han subject to ever receive this honour, while Heling was the only person to have this honour revoked.
- Bestowal of Manchu, noble or imperial surnames. Occasionally, a non-Manchu subject would be granted a Manchu surname, or a Manchu would be granted a more prestigious surname, or even the imperial surname "Gioro", thus adopting into the imperial clan.
- Promotion within the banner hierarchy:
- * A non-bannerman can be inducted into the banner system.
- * A Han bannerman may be elevated into a Manchu banner.
- * A bannerman from the lower banners can be elevated into the upper banners . This was especially common for the imperial consorts and their clansmen.
- Court beads. The court beads were part of the court uniform; the length of the beads normally corresponded to the courtier's pin. When a courtier kowtowed, the beads must touch the ground. Longer court beads were granted as a special favour regardless of the courtier's pin. This was often granted to elderly courtiers to relieve them of the physical hardship of kowtowing.
- The Spencer Museum of Art has six long pao robes that belonged to Han Chinese nobility of the Qing dynasty. Ranked officials and Han Chinese nobles had two slits in the skirts while Manchu nobles and the Imperial family had 4 slits in skirts. All first, second and third rank officials as well as Han Chinese and Manchu nobles were entitled to wear 9 dragons by the Qing Illustrated Precedents. Qing sumptuary laws only allowed four clawed dragons for officials, Han Chinese nobles and Manchu nobles while the Qing Imperial family, emperor and princes up to the second degree and their female family members were entitled to wear five clawed dragons. However officials violated these laws all the time and wore 5 clawed dragons and the Spencer Museum's 6 long pao worn by Han Chinese nobles have 5 clawed dragons on them.
- Traditional Ming dynasty Hanfu robes given by the Ming Emperors to the Chinese noble Dukes Yansheng descended from Confucius are still preserved in the Confucius Mansion after over five centuries.