Heinz-Murray 2E.book

Chapter 7 China 265

could also stir up trouble if annoyed. Together the shen and shi formed a large

and influential class that vastly expanded over the next three dynasties—Song

(960–1279), Ming (1368–1644), and Qing (1644–1911).

The privileged status of the gentry was signified in their dress. They wore

black gowns with blue borders, with various additional markers of rank, up to

the nine pythons embroidered on the chest of officials of first rank. Only the

gentry could wear sable, fox, or lynx. If a commoner needed to address a mem-

ber of the gentry, he could check the buttons on his hat. The simple silver but-

ton of the lower gentry required “Excellency” (lao ye). Gold buttons indicated

holders of high academic degrees and titles; the wearer of a hat with a gold but-

ton, a flower ornament, a ruby, and a pearl was an official of highest rank. All

such titled officials were “Great Excellency” (da lao ye). Gentry privilege went

beyond wardrobe; if they committed offenses, they could not be humiliated by

corporal punishment. If a commoner injured another commoner, the penalty

was 10 lashes; if a scholar-official, 70 lashes. Commoners could not testify

against gentry in lawsuits. Scholar-officials paid lower taxes or were exempt

altogether. They could not be required to perform corvée labor or engage in

manual work.

This 1869 photograph by
John Thomson, a pioneer
in photojournalism,
shows a scholar-official
in elaborate dress.