Abstract: Costume is not only a carrier of ritual action in Chinese realm,but also an important presentation of ritual system according to traditional concept.Emperor costume in the Qing Dynasty (1644—1911) is the most complicated in Chinese costume history.This paper,based on historical records,illustrates the forms of emperor costume and the formation of its system in the Qing Dynasty,holding that it not only reflects the economic development of that time,but also represents a new kind of art.

Key words: costume, court dress, grain decorations, twelve signs, the crown clothing system