Based on a folk song entitled "The Waters of Yang," it is presumed there were embroidered court robes in use by the Chou Dynasty (1122-221 B.C.)
遠溯自周朝時（公元前一○二七年至二五六年），居住在京畿附近的人們，便已在他們的外衣繡上各種圖案。當時有一首「揚之水」的民謠，就有描述著男人的「白外袍縫節著紅緞縐邊」的語句。