The most destructive civil war in history was the Tai-P'ing Rebellion,
1851-1867.
The "Pingers" (as they were dismissively referred to
by contemporary Westerners) are represented by
flag Sets, each sufficient for one Jun (a "division" level organization
of some 13,000 soldiers). Each Jun set contains
70 separate, full color flags representing the five component Shih (Regiments), each of five Lu
(Battalions), each containing five Zu (Companies).
Recognizing that these flags are for Wargames, and that a
variety of rules systems and scales may be used, we have provided all flags
necessary down to Company (Zu), though it is possible that these would not likely be
seen in games at figure-to-man ratios above about 1:30.
All 25mm Jun Sets are printed on three sheets of
24-lb bond paper, though smaller scales require fewer pages. The examples
shown (15mm, the first page only) alongside each entry may appear identical, except for color, but are in fact unique in the
appropriate Mandarin characters that appear on each.
Founder and absolute ruler
of the movement, Hong Xiuquang (Hung-Hsiu-Ch'uang), began appointing Wangs ("Kings") not long after
Imperial Forces actively began attempts to suppress him. Each Wang had a distinctive title and
place in the hierarchy of the "Kingdom of Heavenly Peace," and many ruled conquered districts
with armies under their own command.
For organizational data, examples, and an explanation of
their flags, visit the Tai-P'ing Flags Information Page.
The current selection represents "Historical" versions of the forces of
the first four Wangs (North, South, East, West) and one of
their most famous Generals, the Chung-Wang. A full set of flags for Hung
himself (the "Tien Wang," or "Great or Heavenly King") is
also available. Subsequent releases will include Sets the Kan and Ying Wangs, and a Set of
Dragon Banners with the personal flags of other famous Wangs
and Generals.
There are also several Sets of
"Generic" Jun Flags of the same general colors, but
with wider use of related colors to make it easier to identify Units and
Sub-Units of a Jun on sight. These Flags may be used in
conjunction with Jun of any color as part of a larger force.
Specific Wang Flags are collected in "Set #11--Dragons,
Wangs, & Generals."
Please Note: The samples shown for each Set do not show all the flags
in each. There are 70 in each "Historical" Set, and 69 in each
"Generic."
