Huang Mao

Overview

Huang Mao is a figure listed in Volume 77 of the electronic text of the *Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, belonging to the Plain Yellow Banner under the jurisdiction of the bondservant leadership. His family had lived in Shenyang for generations, but the year of their arrival is unknown.

His grandson, Shuose, served as a stable master, and his great-grandson, Futai, served as a master of ceremonies.

A stable master was responsible for managing livestock stables. Even the imperial cattle and sheep pens had stable masters; therefore, it cannot be assumed that Shuose was solely in charge of horses without seeing the official titles, nor can he be confused with officers of the banner garrison.

A master of ceremonies was a ceremonial official.

In the system of the Imperial Household Department, the personnel under the Directorate of Ceremonies included master of ceremonies, assisting in the guidance and execution of ceremonies. This title indicates that Futai participated in ceremonial services, but this did not equate to presiding over all state sacrifices.

"Under the bondservant leadership" indicates a family organizational structure; listing administrative positions in the same section does not necessarily mean Huang Mao himself held an official position.

The Plain Yellow Banner is also independent banner information and is not affected by the surname heading.

The existing materials can show that the two generations of descendants are respectively associated with stables and etiquette, but the specific service occasions, the dates of service, and the original form of Huang Mao's name still need to be verified. It is not appropriate to determine the standard surname without proofreading.