Like most societies through history, the decoration one wears on his or her body in East Asia is a visual language that communicates the status of a person, whether it be their wealth, position within society, or rank within government. It can also communicate the hopes and aspirations of a person. This language can be decoded through the symbolism of the decoration and the material an object is made from. Birds, with their rich symbolisms, are often used to communicate these messages.
Kingfisher feather was a material often used in women’s adornments in China. They were admired for their iridescent blue colour and could be used for headdresses, hairpins and other bodily adornments. Less frequently, they were also used to decorate table and foulding screens. The delicate feathers were cut into shapes and glued onto silver, often gilt, backings. The most valued feathers were traded from Cambodia. The wealth from this trade may have helped to fund the building of temple complexes of the Khmer empire, such as Angkor Wat.