Late 19th century silk Chinese child's hat - black rat with green dragon

Late 19th century silk Chinese child's hat - black rat with green dragon. Chinese children's hats were designed to protect the child from sickness, ward off evil spirits, and also imbue the child with important qualities such as wealth, health, courage, academic success, happiness, long life, grace, and beauty. These hats were full of symbolism.

The front of this hat features the face of a black rat and the top features the face of a green dragon.

This hat is in fair to good condition with some fading and soiling of the fabric, as would be expected of a hat of this age.

From Stories of Chinese Children's Hats: Symbolism and Folklore, edited by Phylis Lan Lin and Christi Lan Lin: "The Chinese tradition is to cover the newborn from head to toe so the baby does not get sick. The Chinese considered the head a very important part of the human body. The head must be well protected. Oftentimes, head-wear was a necessary attire in everyday life." Antique Asian Decor: Late 19th century silk Chinese child's hat - black rat with green dragon from Northern China. Antique Asian Decor: Late 19th century silk Chinese child's hat - black rat with green dragon from Northern China.