Vest

Child's smock or vest which opens on the side and shoulder with loop and knot fasteners. The smock is of homespun cotton, indigo dyed a dark blue on the exterior, with the interior undyed. It is decorated with auspicious motifs front and back using cross-stitch embroidery in hard hemp thread. Embroidered designs on the front include: a representation of the "longevity lock" traditionally placed around a child's neck; phoenixes flying amid geometric designs and floral sprigs; swastika symbols; and a number of four-character lucky phrases in Chinese characters expressing wishes for a long and prosperous life:

長命富貴 "Long life and wealth"

長生不老 "Long life without ageing"

松柏延年 "Extended years like the pine and cypress"

福如東海 "Good fortune as [limitless as] the Eastern Sea"

Motifs on the lighter-colored reverse side are: eight trigrams surrounding the character 壽 "longevity"; geometric patters enclosing the character 福 "good fortune"; the "double happiness" symbol 囍; fish, dragons and qilin; a pavilion; and auspicious phrases in Chinese characters:

貴出 "Sell when the price is high"

在家長富 “Longevity and wealth at home"

外保平安 "Be safe from harm when outside"