The CHAO Han Purple is the fifth edition of the CHAO series, published by MPC. “Chao” means “dynasty” in Chinese, and the deck pays tribute to four of the country’s best-known dynasties: Han, Tang, Ming and Qing. In this release the featured colour is Han purple.

• PublisherMPC
• SeriesCHAO, fifth edition (Han Purple)
• PrinterMPC
• FinishM32 linen air card stock with BETA finish
• Print run2,500 decks
• Contents52 cards + 2 jokers

Design

Han purple is a pigment with a long history in China: it was used from the Western Zhou dynasty until the end of the Han and already appears in the paint of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s terracotta warriors, which is why it is associated with luxury and rank. That colour covers the back and the case, which features embossing and gold foil (metallic stamping). The court cards keep the layout of a traditional deck, but each one depicts a figure from Chinese history: the kings are emperors, the queens empresses and the jacks generals. Each suit corresponds to a dynasty—Han, Tang, Ming and Qing—and the clothing and accessories change from one suit to another: the empresses carry the instrument they played and the generals wear armour and bear the weapon they fought with. The four aces carry Chinese-inspired ornaments and the Ace of Spades adds a dragon, the traditional symbol of imperial power. The two jokers depict two historical figures who are still highly respected in China. The seal on the case imitates a Chinese red-ink stamp bearing the name of QP Group, MPC’s parent company.

Manufacturing

It is made by MPC (MakePlayingCards) itself. It uses its M32 linen air stock (with a very fine linen texture on the surface) combined with the BETA finish, MPC’s own varnish developed to help the cards glide smoothly. The print run was limited to 2,500 decks and the publisher states that it will not be made again.