Memory of the World; 2012 - unesdoc - Unesco

4th c. 5th c. 6th c. 7th c. 8th c. 9th c. 10th c. 11th c. 12th c. 13th c. 14th c. 15th c. 16th c. 17th c. 18th c. 19th c. 20th c. 21st c.
Golden Lists of the Qing
dynasty imperial examination
Inscribed 2005
What is it
The Golden Lists are the name of candidates, written
in Chinese and Manchu on sheets of yellow paper,
who passed the Palace Examination, the final stage
of civil-service recruitment, during the Qing dynasty.
Why was it inscribed
China’s feudal examination system had international
impact and influenced recruitment systems in other
countries in Asia and Europe. All documents have high
calligraphic value, and are pieces of art in their own right.
Where is it
First Historical Archives of China, Beijing, China
The examination system for recruitment into the civil
service reached its zenith in the Qing dynasty (1644–
1911) having developed over many centuries since the
Sui dynasty (581–618). Under the Qing, the regularly
scheduled civil service examination was the only way
for scholars to seek official positions. The sequence
of the examination includes District Examination,
Provincial Examination, Metropolitan Examination
and the Palace Examination, which was held in the Hall
of Preserving Harmony in the Imperial Palace in Beijing.
This examination was prepared and presided over by the
emperor in person. The Golden Lists are the names of
the successful candidates, in three categories, and were
written on sheets of yellow paper. There are two types of
Golden Lists. The small one was submitted to the emperor,
and the large one placed outside the Chang’an gates at
the entrance to the Imperial Palace. The names of many
prominent historical figures can be found on the lists.
The large Golden List is 150–220 cm long and
80–90 cm wide. It was written in both Chinese and
Manchu in Chinese ink and stamped with the emperor’s
seal. The Manchu language was written from left to right,
while the Chinese was written from right to left. The
two languages meet in the middle of the paper by date
and the word ‘list’, written in both Manchu and Chinese
characters. The paper starts with an Imperial Command
and follows with the names of those who passed in the
244 Golden Lists of the Qing dynasty imperial examination
three categories. The emperor’s seal is put over the dates
in both languages and also the junction of the paper edge.
For easy hanging, there are cords on the upper edge of the
paper every metre. The small Golden List is 100 cm long
and 35 cm wide. It has the same form as the large list but
without the emperor’s seal. There are over 200 pieces
of small and large Golden Lists in the archives dating
from the sixth year of Emperor Kangxi (1667) to the
twenty-ninth year of Emperor Guangxu (1903).