These hairpins of silver, carved intricately possibly floral, geometric or animal inspired patterns from the Ching dynasty[1644-1912] are used to hold buns or updos securely, especially in traditional hairstyles like those worn with hanfu clothings. Silver hairpins were affordable yet elegant alternative to gold or jade, often gilded or inlaid with kingfisher feathers, pearls, or glass for added shimmer. Culturally, hairpins symbolized maturity and rites of passage: at age 15, girls received their first pin during a "ji li" ceremony, marking adulthood, while men used them until the Ching era.