In the ancient Book of Documents the Emperor Shun instructs his successor, Yu: "I wish to see the signs of the ancients, the sun, moon, stars, mountains, dragons, and the flowery fowl, together with the temple vessels, aquatic grasses, fire, rice, and other embroidered decorations, emblazoned on your garments in all the five colors."
例如「尚書」益稷篇記載舜命禹曰：「予欲觀古人之象、日、月、星辰、山、龍、華蟲作會，宗彞、藻、火、粉米，黼黻絺繡以五採，彰施於五色，作服汝服。」