Woman’s ceremonial robe, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), first half 18th century. Silk and metallic thread embroidery on silk satin, 137.2 x 190.5 cm. Anonymous Gift, 1943, 43.119. © 2000–2024 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

In Chinese, the word for “bat” (fu 蝠) sounds like the one for “happiness” (fu 福), so this robe carries a symbolic message of good fortune. The roundels of five interlocking bats surrounding the Chinese character for “longevity” (shou 壽) refer to the “Five Happinesses”: longevity, health, wealth, virtue, and a natural death.