Throughout The Apothecary Diaries, Maomao gathers an impressive collection of hairpins, but she notices one in particular. So, what is the meaning of Jinshi's unusual hairpin in The Apothecary Diaries?
Spoiler Warning: This article includes spoilers for The Apothecary Diaries, so proceed with caution.
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The Importance of Hairpins in Ancient China
Hairpins in Chinese culture used to be important symbols, and The Apothecary Diaries, a historical anime inspired by imperial China, leans into this understanding.
In ancient China, hairpins were a status symbol, and for girls in their adolescence, they were associated with an important rite of passage.
Some girls would partake in a hairpin ceremony at the age of fifteen. Before reaching that age, girls in China would wear their hair in braids.
During the hairpin ceremony, they would undo the usual hairstyle of their childhood and start wearing their hair in buns held together by a pin.
After this ceremony, they were considered eligible to marry.
What Do Hairpins Mean in The Apothecary Diaries?
In The Apothecary Diaries, hairpins seem to have two meanings. For high-ranking individuals of either gender, they're a symbol of status. When bestowed on someone of lower status, they mark a special favor.
This favor can be interpreted in two ways. When a young woman is given a hairpin by a young man, as was the case with Maomao and Jinshi, this act can signify that the man is interested in the woman romantically.
Of course, Maomao also receives a pin from another high-ranking eunuch, Lihaku, who bestows this mark of favor on multiple ladies-in-waiting to ensure that none feels neglected.
On the other hand, when Concubine Lihua gives Maomao one of her hairpins, it is a sign of royal favor and gratitude for Maomao's service.
But there's another pin that concerns Maomao throughout Episode 6.
What Does Jinshi's Hairpin Mean?
In The Apothecary Diaries Episode 6, Maomao is surprised to see Jinshi wearing a new hairpin, as these aren't part of a eunuch's attire.
The answer to her question is key to understanding Jinshi's true background. Jinshi's hairpin is gold and decorated with red beads or red stones.
Earlier in the episode, we glimpse the empress dowager, whose diadem is golden and adorned with similar red beads.
We are told that she gave birth to the emperor and a younger son who is thought to be sickly and rarely appears at court.
Later chapters of The Apothecary Diaries' light novel reveal that Jinshi isn't a eunuch at all.
In fact, he is the emperor's younger brother, though almost no one at the court is aware of the fact.
Jinshi thinks that he would make a terrible successor to the emperor, and he enters the inner palace pretending to be a eunuch as part of a wager with his brother.
Interestingly, Jinshi and the Empress have similar purple-colored hair, which is another tiny detail suggesting that they're related.
So far, The Apothecary Diaries has done little more than that to foreshadow Jinshi's real identity, but hawk-eyed fans can marvel at this tiny, genius detail that suggests his royal heritage.
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