Dragon robe and crown is a kind of grande toilette worn by the emperor on the most important occasions in ancient China. Dragon robe refers to the noble dress decorated with rolling dragons while dragon crown is the noble hat.

　　According to archeological discoveries, crown-costume came into being early in the Shang Dynasty. It was a kind of noble costume worn by the emperor and supreme officials of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty on important occasions, such as ceremonious sacrificial days. In later dynasties, due to the enhancement of emperor's powers, dragon robe and crown became the costume exclusively belong to the emperor, and even, served as a token of the emperor. In the feudal society with rigid hierarchy, costume was an important symbol for distinguishing the noble and humble as well as class differences. For this reason, dragon robe and crown acted as a symbol of imperial power other than a top-grade dress. Making dragon robe and crown privately at that time was considered to be a crime as serious as rebellion.

　　From the exquisite dragon robe and crown, we can also perceive the splendid rich Chinese ancient culture. The dragon embroidered on the robe embodies the worship of dragon totem in ancient China, while the shape of the crown (slightly round front and square rear) shows the cultural content of "Round heaven and square earth". The exquisite and graceful dragon robes and crowns preserved in the Palace Museum are a demonstration of supreme dressmaking technique in ancient China. Moreover, they can reflect the aesthetic consciousness in traditional Chinese culture.