Dynasty 五福 Scarf 90

五福絲巾Five Blessings Silk Scarf · 90cm

The five things a Chinese family has, for two thousand years, wished one another at the new year.

The Five Blessings — wǔfú, 五福 — are recorded in the Book of Documents, one of the oldest texts in Chinese civilisation. They are: longevity (壽), prosperity (富), health (康寧), love of virtue (攸好德), and a peaceful death (考終命). The list is roughly three thousand years old. It has been the subject of essays, paintings, embroideries, and lacquerware in nearly every dynasty since.

This scarf carries all five, arranged around a central seal in the layout used on imperial textiles of the Qing court. It is intended to be worn, not framed — but worn knowingly. The wisdom of the five blessings is that they are listed in the right order. A long life is named first because the rest depend on it; a peaceful death is named last because it is what allows the previous four to mean anything.

90 × 90 cm. Italian silk twill, 14 momme. Hand-rolled hem. Printed in a small run. Each piece carries the 皇帝子孫 seal — the descendants' mark. Comes in a Dynasty linen pouch, ready to give.