Mon Sigils
Dynastic society contains numerous decorative affectations, but one in particular stands out due to its importance for identification and information: the mon.
A mon is a sigil contained within a circular shape. It may vary from simple geometric pattern to complex images. The Realm, under the Immaculate order, disavows most iconic images of an animal nature, so the tendency of these images is towards depictions of flora, raw elements, objects, geographic features, or the Immaculate Dragons… but Dynasts are free from most religious restrictions and so many indulge in iconic imagery for their personal sigils.
Mon Symbols
Mon of the Realm
The Realm is represented by two different mon. The first is the mon of the Mountain. This sigil, depicting the spire of the Imperial Mountain stabbing up into the clouds, can be considered the personal seal of the Empress... in most respects, that status meant it was also a de-facto symbol for the Realm, as the Empress and her empire were inseparable. In the present climate, no one dares make use of the Mountain mon, as it is unclear whether it is the mon of the Throne (and thus the Regent) or truly just the personal mon of the Empress.
The Realm's second symbol is the mon of Five Corners, sometimes known as the mon of Creation. It is a five-pointed star, a pentagram, each point representing an elemental pole and their interconnection representing Creation.
Three different colourings of the mon represent branches of the Thousand Scales.
Gold: Magistrates
Silver: Ministries and bureaucratic Offices
Bronze: Legions
Mon of the Immaculate Dragons
Each of the five Immaculate Dragons is represented by a mon sigil, which depicts their commonly-accepted form. Where Immaculate monks require a mon for ceremony or protocol, they use the mon of their patron Dragon. Non-clergy do not use the Immaculate mon except in a discreet manner on personal talismans.
Mon of Elemental Aspects
Outside the Immaculate symbols, each aspect has an associated mon. These are commonly used as decorative adornements by Dynasts, and outcastes frequently employ the mon of their aspect when one is required, as they lack a family mon.
Air: A folding fan.
Earth: A mountain range.
Fire: Three crossed candles.
Water: A tidal wave.
Wood: A leaf and vines.
Mon of Houses
Each of the Great Houses has its own mon symbol. House members all have the right to wear the House mon in official or decorative capacity. House members who have yet to establish their own household, but who are old enough to have left their immediate family household (i.e. secondary school graduates and the like), use their House mon as personal mon.
Mon of Households
Marriage and creation of a household also creates a new mon to represent that household. Husband, wife, and younger children are identified by this Household symbol. These mon are widely varied, each attempting to be a unique expression of personal identity. Where Houses have ‘branch’ divisions, these branches may have their own mon as well.
Ex: The mon of the Sesus Magel branch depicts a two-headed snake, the mon of the Nagat household depicts a hooded image of Hsiesh. That of the Kitsume household shows four separate leaf buds, and that of Tenezar presents a broken chain.
Mon of Organisations
Certain institutions possess official mon symbols. The Heptagram school represents itself with a seven-point star mon, while the Guild uses a mon depicting a simple coin.
Mon Protocol
Signatures
Mon form a vital part of a legal Dynastic signature. They are used to stamp wax seals on letters, gate transit records, Thousand Scales forms, and legal writs such as contracts, wills and property deeds. Almost all Dynasts will carry with them a small stamp, carved with their name in High Realm characters around their official mon... without this stamp, they will encounter countless difficulties. Mon forgery is severely punished according to the laws of the Realm, with mortals losing both hands and Exalts being barred from setting foot on the Blessed Isle for one thousand years. Nevertheless, most Dynasts will keep only a single stamp, either on their person or (if for some reason they cannot carry it with them) locked in their writing desks, so as to stop their stamp falling into the wrong hands.
Clothing
Personal Mon are generally worn somewhere on a Dynast's clothing, though this can range anywhere from a simple pendant or embroidered border to fabric patterns entirely devoted to a single mon. Servants follow a much more strict uniform policy, as a mon marks out who is responsible for them. There are five standard positions where mon can be placed: centre of the back, left sleeve shoulder, right sleeve shoulder, left breast, right breast.
Processions
Wealthier Dynasts will usually employ a standard bearer to walk ahead of their palanquins, bearing a carved or silk-banner image of their mon Even middling Dynasts often employ a lantern bearer at night who carries a paper lantern marked with their name and mon to light their passage.
