A pink-ground famille-rose lobed 'abstinence' plaque, Qing dynasty, Qianlong / Jiaqing period

During the Qing dynasty, the court observed abstinence as part of a ceremonial requirement before worshipping the ancestors, the Heavens and other deities. According to the Daqing Huidian, the ritual cleansing of the body from within, which usually lasted for three days, involved abstention from passing judgment, holding meetings, having sexual intercourse, visiting the mourning, drinking alcohol, eating meat, making sacrifices, or sweeping tombs. Exceptions were made for those on military duty or those who were ill. As a mark of devotion and an admonition to themselves and other participants, the Emperor and all those who accompanied him in these ritual ceremonies wore abstinence plaques. These plaques were made in various materials, including jade, bamboo, painted enamel and porcelain.