Taiping Longsleeve

A one of one, hand made longsleeve shirt showing the seal of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom on the back.

The seal is hand cut and sewn in red across the back of the shirt, symbolizing determination and sacrifice.

Size Guide

One of one, available in M size only.

Background

The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was a quasi-Christian political and religious movement existing in China from 1851 to 1864. Led by Hong Xiuquan, who believed himself to be the younger brother of Jesus Christ, the Taiping Rebellion sought to overthrow the Qing dynasty and establish a Christian theocratic state.

The rebellion managed to capture significant territory in southern China, challenging the Qing government for over a decade. However, the Taiping forces were eventually defeated by the Qing army with foreign assistance, leading to its collapse. The conflict was one of the deadliest in human history, and significantly weakened the Qing dynasty, contributing to its eventual downfall.

The Taiping movement was based on a unique blend of Christianity and Chinese folk religion. It promoted greater equality for women, allowing them to join the military and take on leadership roles, which was highly unusual for the time period in China. While the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom ultimately failed, its ideology and challenge to the Qing dynasty significantly weakened the imperial government and paved the way for the revolutions that eventually toppled the Qing in 1912.