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Post by ajk on Aug 10, 2007 13:33:55 GMT -5
For some time now I've been trying to solve the mystery of Xue Rengui's featherduster and find out what it's supposed to be. I really wanted to surprise everyone at some point and post the answer. But I give up. Couldn't crack it. First I located a person who has a lot of pictures and information on historical Chinese military uniforms, and I sent him a photo of the thing. He said that it might be some kind of ceremonial stick but that he had never seen any such thing in a military context. Then I posted the photo and question on a Chinese history forum. Three very smart people responded, and none of them recognized it either. And I also did a whole lot of Internet searches (limited since I don't speak Chinese); no luck. I did get two interesting comments. One person told me that there's a Chinese object called a "ling-jian" ("token arrow"). It's used as a symbol of military authority, apparently to give and receive orders. He described it as "more ornate than a normal arrow and maybe mounted/stuck on a rod/staff." He wondered if the featherduster could have been created for the show based on that idea. Another person mentioned a major figure in Chinese history named Zhuge Liang (181-234). He was known for carrying a single-shafted white feather fan. His bio and a drawing of him holding the fan are here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhuge_Liang(An amazing bio; well worth reading.) That could have been another possible inspiration. He certainly was a prominent enough person that later dynasties could have acknowledged him in some way. So it doesn't sound like the object is historically authentic, but maybe it's based on one or both of those ideas. It looks like the only way we'll know is if the producers of the show explain it themselves. |
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Post by tinkerbell on Aug 10, 2007 22:31:02 GMT -5
I think the "token arrow" theory is probably the closest explanation for the "feather duster thingie". It seems to hold more weight to point that thing at someone and give an order than to just point a finger and shout an order. Xue Rengui has his feather duster, the Chosunese had tassels hanging from swords and whatever else they used to convey an order, and the Japanese pointed "fans"at people and shouted commands. I guess it's comparable to a scepter. That's my opinion anyway. ;D
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Post by mikey on Aug 11, 2007 9:00:24 GMT -5
ajk, your hard work on this is appreciated.  In the SBS series “Yeon Gae So Mun,” I noticed that some of the Koguryo generals were shown barking out orders as they waved short (maybe 18" or so) staffs. And yes, it did seem like some kind of symbol of authority. I didn’t see any of the Su/Tang generals using one, though. Maybe it’s a Korean thing. Just a guess, but could the feathers just be an embellishment by Xue Rengui (or, the show’s writers) that are perhaps meant to emphasize his Khitan heritage?
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Post by pip on Aug 11, 2007 15:15:52 GMT -5
AJK, I have wondered about this very thing since I began watching this show! I *thought* I saw XR with a large fan in the episode where DJY fights Wugol. All the spectators were out in the sun and heat, which may have contributed to my thinking it was a fan. It looked like his feather duster unfurled. Since then, I assumed it was just that, a fan. From the beginning, I considered it a terrific prop that adds to XR's colorful character. I've always enjoyed watching him use it. I also got a kick out of the way he cleared his throat when he entered the meeting room in Liaodong.
Good work on investigating the origin and meaning of the feather duster! I never thought to do that.
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Post by ginnycat5 on Aug 12, 2007 18:23:32 GMT -5
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Post by teacher on Aug 12, 2007 20:47:57 GMT -5
The feather duster reminds me of the fad a few years ago, when the kids had pencil toppers depicting trolls. It was distracting to have 20 or so 4th graders rolling their pencils between their hands, making the troll's hair go wild.
I keep waiting for XR to roll the wand part between his hands.
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Post by soapygrams on Aug 12, 2007 21:30:01 GMT -5
;D ;D Oh boy, I sure hope I'm watching if he ever does that!! 
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Post by BungalowDweller on Aug 13, 2007 20:59:49 GMT -5
I have also seen the featherduster as a sceptor. I wonder how Xue cleans it, though. And what bird did he pluck those red feathers from? ;D
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Post by zorro on Aug 13, 2007 22:08:56 GMT -5
It was missing tonight. Does anyone remember if he had that when he was under the Shilla commander, or did he suddenly aquire it after his appointment by Empress Wu?
I think it would be much cooler if he had a shorty sword or dagger hidden inside.
I was even thiinking it might be something the actor came up with himself just to have more fun with the character.
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Post by tinkerbell on Aug 15, 2007 14:15:30 GMT -5
Since we are behind you in episodes, it is fresher in my mind, Xue has had the feather duster for quite awhile now. Soon after he became a general, he started waving his authority around. In IYSS the Ming generals had tassels on their's. Since DJY is a much earlier time period, the Khitans could have used feathers. They seemed to like feathers, fur, and jewels, so either they all liked the lavish adornments or it's Xue because he is such a flamboyant character.
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Post by ajk on Sept 14, 2007 15:26:49 GMT -5
In #88 Tuesday, Xue was put in command of that huge army, his biggest assignment ever, and all of a sudden he has the most ornate featherduster he's ever carried. Multi-colored and multi-layered. And when he was walking in front of his entourage to go see the emperor, he was carrying the thing prominently, but when he actually went before her, he didn't bring it with him. So I'd be tempted to think the thing has military-authority significance—the more of a bigshot you are, the bigger the featherduster you get to carry, but you have no authority before the emperor so don't show it there. I'm just wondering why the Tang generals don't all carry them if that's the explanation. Maybe they have them and we're just not shown them.
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Post by ajk on Nov 9, 2007 12:25:52 GMT -5
I've noticed that as of #104, XR has ditched the featherduster for the past few episodes. Now he's carrying around a regular Chinese-style paper fan--a pretty big one, but it's just a fan. I wonder why. Maybe it has something to do with his current status in the court (whatever that is). Could this be the end of the featherduster? Sure hope not, at least not before we get an explanation for the thing. And besides that, you just can't stop looking at the thing!
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Post by pip on Nov 9, 2007 14:15:26 GMT -5
I do miss Xue Rengui's featherduster, but I like the fan. And I'd still like to know how many channels he gets with that hat.
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Post by forfeit on Nov 13, 2007 14:02:02 GMT -5
According to the Romance of Three Kingdom ( chinese), Zhuge Liang is the best strategist of all time but that novel is only 70% real, 30%fiction. For more information, you can visit www.kongming.net.... i knew this website longtime ago when i started playing the Playstation 2 game : The Romance of Three Kingdom. If any of you like to look for a good strategy game, or information regarding Romance of Three kingdom , this is a nice website. Anyway, i'm not advertise. I'm a big fan of Three Kingdom games make by Koei. |
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jebu
New Addict
Posts: 9
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Post by jebu on Nov 14, 2007 17:20:44 GMT -5
:Maybe the feather is a prototype ink pen, it makes a bold font. Or it could be a way Xue R. gets ahead in line. From a few steps back he taps the person in front of him on the right shoulder, the person turns around and Xue R. at the same times moves ahead on his left. 8-)The person is none the wiser.
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