Ladder to the clouds : intrigue and tradition in Chinese rank / Beverley Jackson and David Hugus.

Includes bibliographical references (page 300) and index.

Part One -- Author's preface -- Tradition dictates all in the life of a child -- City life and the spirit world -- Kites soar along with hopes for the future -- Climbing the ladder to the clouds -- One ascends the ladder, one falls -- Bibliography -- Part Two -- An introduction to Mandarin squares -- Ming summary -- Other rank badges -- Examinations -- Ch'ing introduction -- Sun disk -- Identifying birds -- Identifying animals -- Chinese symbology -- Evolution of Ch'ing dynasty squares -- Deceptive and nobles' badges -- Bibliography -- Index.

Ladder to the clouds is the first comprehensive book on the intriguing and little known subject of Chinese service rankings. It is a fascinating exploration of Chinese customs and rituals, many of which are still practiced in China today. It also offers a thorough analysis of the symbols, styles, and techniques used in mandarin rank squares, along with the most complete information for their identification to date.

Keyword: mandarin square (Buzi 補子), also known as a rank badge