What does the embroidered sleeve represent in the novel, The Girl Who Wrote in Silk?

The blue, embroidered sleeve symbolizes mystery and tragedy. The blue sleeve beautifully illustrates the tragedy of the murder of the Chinese by the Prince of the Pacific crew under the command of Duncan Campbell, as well as Mei Lien’s survival and a mix of American and Chinese symbolism and images. The sleeve’s meaning, purpose, and history are investigated by Daniel and Inara through the rest of the novel.