Chapter 25 Section 6 Military Uniforms

A military officer in the Tang Dynasty wore a military crown.Clothing at that time had the system of trouser pleats, the system of crotch, and the system of 螣 (teng Teng) snakes.The so-called trouser pleat system means that the trousers are tied with pleats (a kind of short garment) on the top, which is convenient for riding.This kind of attire is made of fine silk and silk for officials above the fifth rank, and small silk for officials below the sixth rank.Officials above the third rank wear purple, officials above the fifth rank wear crimson, officials above the seventh rank wear green, and officials above the ninth rank wear blue.The system of the crotch: one is the chest, the other is the back, and the short sleeves cover the shoulders.The making of Teng Snake: The surface is made of brocade, and the middle is made of cotton, which looks like a snake.

The military uniforms of the Tang Dynasty include gowns (used by both generals and sergeants).After Yanzai (AD 694), patterns such as lions, tigers, and flying eagles were embroidered on the robes of generals to show the generals' brave temperament.At that time, more than half of the army was equipped with armor.In the important frontier fortress where "the broken rocks in Yichuan are as big as a bucket, and the stones are everywhere with the wind", "the general will never take off his golden armor at night" (Cen Shen's "Walking on the Horse River to Send Doctor Feng to the Western Expedition"); The white grass is broken, and Hu Tian is snowing in August." On the battlefield outside the Great Wall, "the iron clothes of the guards are still cold" (Cen Shen's "Song of Bai Xue Sending the Military Judge Back").It can be seen that the officers and soldiers on the border defense line never leave their armor day and night, and they are constantly prepared to protect the territory.There are more than a dozen types of armor.According to "Tang Liudian", the most famous is Mingguang armor.It is tied on the chest with a cross-shaped armor belt, and there is a round guard and shoulder shawl on the left and right.There is a "knee skirt" on the left and right sides of the lower waist, and a "hanging leg" on each calf.Some have round goggles on the left and right sides of the front of the armor, each with a round goggle on the chest, and the back of the armor is connected into one piece.The front and back armors are connected with buckles at the shoulders.The shoulders and arms are double-layered, and the upper layer is shaped like a tiger's head, which sets off the majestic momentum of a tiger.During the reign of Emperor Zhongzong, the shape of Jia changed again, and the arms were wrapped in the shape of a dragon's head to show his determination to be loyal to the king.There is also silk armor, which is made of textiles such as silk. It is light in structure and beautiful in shape, but it has no defensive ability. It is mostly worn by generals and guards to show the majesty of the royal army.

The Tang Dynasty also implemented the sword system.At that time, sabers included gold swords, blue jade swords, etc., and there were grades such as single swords and double swords.The emperor wears a deer and jade sword, and the crown prince and courtiers also wear swords.Hundreds of officials in the imperial court walked around, their swords were swinging loudly, majestic and majestic.There is also a kind of sword that represents the supreme authority, that is, the upper (also known as Shangfang) sword.It is the emperor's royal sword, and trusted ministers have the right to cut it first and then play it.