Zhang Yichao's Great Tang Border Army Three Luminaries Flag

The Three Luminaries Flag, also known as the Sun, Moon, and Radiance Flag, is an ancient Chinese ceremonial banner symbolizing the Way of Heaven, with its use traceable back to the time of Emperor Shun.

This flag features the sun, moon, and stars as its motif, as quoted from "Zuo Zhuan, Duke Huan Year 2": "The banners with three luminaries manifest their brightness," representing the light of heaven and the August Lord of Heaven.

During the Zhou Dynasty, it was listed among the Nine Banners, with the "Da Chang" (Great Standard) banner exclusively for the Son of Heaven, featuring the three luminaries and made of crimson silk.

The three luminaries motif originates from the Twelve Ornaments on the Son of Heaven's ceremonial robes, consistent with the "Classic of History" (Shangshu) record: "the sun, moon, and stars converge."

According to the regulations in the "Rites of Zhou," among the Nine Banners, the "Sun and Moon as Standards" served as a flag system. The flag surface was made from "a full width of crimson silk," symbolizing the operation of the Way of Heaven.

The Han Dynasty followed the Zhou system, applying the three luminaries design to imperial robes and banners.

This version is sampled from Cave 156 of the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang: "Zhang Yichao Leading His Army on an Expedition."