中国的官衔袍章，又称为“官袍”、“补子”，是中国封建社会中的一个重要组成部分。这些补子在明（1368-1644）和清（1644-1911）两朝中被文武官员佩戴，旨在反映佩戴者在政府等级制度中的职位和地位。补子以佩戴者的等级为标准进行精细的刺绣，绣制的图案和颜色是与佩戴者的等级密切相关的，并被佩戴在官袍的前后两面.

Chinese rank badges, also known as mandarin squares or rank insignia, were a key feature of the hierarchical society of imperial China. These badges were worn by officials during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, and were designed to reflect the wearer's rank and position in the government hierarchy. Rank badges were intricately embroidered with patterns and colours that were specific to the wearer's rank, and were worn on the front and back of the wearer's robe.

这些等级被分为九个级别，每个级别又进一步分为三个等级。官衔袍章的设计最初非常简单，由一个带有一个单一鸟或动物图案的平方组成。然而，随着等级制度的变得更加复杂，官衔袍章的设计也变得更加复杂

The ranks were divided into nine levels, with each level being further subdivided into three ranks. The design of the rank badges was initially very simple, consisting of a plain square with a single bird or animal motif. However, as the system of ranks became more complex, so too did the designs of the rank badges.

七品文官的官补纹样为鸂鶒（xi chi），鸂鶒即为鸳鸯，古称“匹鸟”。据说鸳鸯成对，鸳鸣鸯和，左雄右雌双双飞翔，夜晚雌雄羽翼掩合交颈而眠。若其偶失，从不再配。《诗经·小雅》言其：“鸳鸯于飞，毕之罗之。君子万年，福寿宜之”，体现了古代“五伦”中夫妻美好的关系，是一种吉祥的瑞鸟。七品补服缀鸂鶒，寓意七品文官能像鸂鶒一样，坚定忠心，为官爱民，兢兢业业。