Girls typically let their hair grow and tie it into small topknots or braids. This is similar to the hairstyles seen in the '86 version of “Journey to the West” episode “Crossing the Heavenly River,” where Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie transformed into a boy and a girl. The hairstyle for the boy in the show was a tuft of hair left after shaving the head, with four tufts in front and on either side. For the girl, the hair was tied into two horns, which is what the ancients referred to as “chuitiao” (垂髫) and “zongjiao” (总角). Because children's hairstyles in ancient times were relatively simple, they could represent the child's age. For example, “chuitiao” refers to children aged four to seven or eight years old, while “zongjiao” represents children aged seven or eight to fourteen years old.
Hanfu, although it is part of our domestic traditional culture, still has many safety hazards in design. For instance, the hem of the skirt is too long. Children under seven generally like to run and jump, and a long hem can easily be stepped on, leading to falls that might result in fractures or concussions. There was once an incident online where a five-year-old girl fell and ended up needing a wheelchair for life while playing with her friends wearing hanfu.
Near the Tianhe Bus Terminal in Guangzhou, there is an underground area called Night Shanghai City that has legitimate hanfu stores such as Lihua Ferry, Back to Han and Tang, and Deer Memory Records. These brands have become popular over the past two years due to the increasing number of historical dramas. As spring arrives and the weather warms up, young girls start wearing beautiful hanfu, from ages five to six to those in their early twenties. If you want to buy hanfu, you can visit local physical stores since these traditional costumes are currently trending, and every city will have stores dedicated to selling them. You can also shop online, as the internet makes it easy to purchase anytime, allowing you to choose your favorite colors and styles.
After making up my mind, I started wearing hanfu to learn about flower arrangement, tea ceremony, and incense appreciation, regularly participating in charity performances with like-minded sisters. In 2020, at the suggestion of a friend, I created a group on Tencent QQ named “Luli” Hanfu Society, symbolizing the hope that hanfu would flow like clouds and shine brightly. Under the influence of the founding members, the society gradually grew, and even today, with the widespread use of WeChat, there are seven or eight-year-olds who, upon seeing beautiful hanfu in their parents' social circles, beg to join. Now we regularly organize public welfare activities, such as showcasing the beauty of hanfu at tea shops and school clubs.
The eighteen-year-old Liang Xia thought she would definitely walk down the aisle with her boyfriend Mao Liang, whom she had been dating for ten years, and had been preparing for their grand wedding, filled with fantasies about married life. Mao Liang's company was undergoing a tense first round of funding, and things weren't going smoothly. Liang Xia's eagerness for marriage put immense pressure on Mao Liang. One day, they attended the wedding of Liang Xia's best friend Bai Xiaoning. Unable to withstand the romantic atmosphere, Liang Xia pressured Mao Liang into proposing. Unexpectedly, Mao Liang proposed breaking up instead, leaving Liang Xia devastated. An accident caused Liang Xia's mental age to revert to seventeen. At this time, she appeared mature outwardly but was very immature inside, and met a man named Yan Yan. 206
When it comes to children's hanfu, it seems that there hasn't been a thousand-year-old tradition. Currently, only the brand Hanshang Hualian offers authentic children's hanfu. The rest are imitations. If you want to buy it, you can choose Hanshang Hualian's offerings. The price isn't very high, much cheaper than adult hanfu. It should cost around two hundred to three hundred yuan, which is quite affordable compared to other hanfu. However, their designs are mainly suitable for ages three to six, not for ages five to six.
Jinsha wore hanfu on the runway, and I think her demeanor is excellent, very suitable for traditional costumes. When I think of Jinsha, I remember the song “The Wind Blows Summer.” What impressed me most was when Jinsha sang this song. Let's take a look at Jinsha, born in 1998 in Shanghai. She is a female singer and actress from mainland China. In 2002, she starred in an idol drama, Sky, debuting at the age of eighteen. Throughout her subsequent acting and singing career, Jinsha has won numerous awards. Additionally, she participated in several famous TV series such as The Myth, Tears of Happiness, Air, and Star and Moon Myth. Initially, Jinsha was just a host on Shanghai's drama channel. By chance, she joined the filming of the 2008 idol drama Sky, thus entering the entertainment industry and achieving such remarkable success. Jinsha's hanfu fashion show has received much praise from fans, sparking significant discussion. She posted photos of herself in hanfu on social media, saying she looked like a queen. Many fans commented that she looked stunning in hanfu, very elegant. It can be said that hanfu is now very popular. Many celebrities and people wear hanfu in daily life to attract more attention. In Jinsha's photos, she looks truly noble and graceful, indicating that Jinsha is in excellent condition. Today, Jinsha is 39 years old, a veteran female star in the entertainment industry, yet she still exudes a youthful aura. I must say Jinsha takes good care of herself. However, this hanfu has sparked much debate. Many fans believe Jinsha wasn't wearing hanfu but traditional costumes, suggesting she may be filming a period drama. I am optimistic about Jinsha. Not only is her acting good, but her singing is excellent too. Although she is now 39, I believe she will continue to progress in her acting career.
A man at twenty is considered strong and ready for marriage, hence the term “strong room.” According to “The Book of Rites: Curved Etiquette”: “At twenty, one is strong and has a room.” Zheng Xuan's commentary: “Having a room means having a wife. Wife is referred to as a room.” According to “Old Book of Tang: Biography of Liu Xiangdao”: “A man serves in his prime and retires at sixty, taking the middle years, no more than ten years.” In “Huo Xiaoyu's Biography” by Tang Dynasty's Jiang Fang: “I am only eighteen years old, and you are twenty; by the time you reach the age of having a room, there are still eight years.” During the Song Dynasty, Ruan Yue's “Enhanced Compilation of Poetic Talk: Department of Young Sensitivity”: “Li He, known as Changji, was a descendant of Tang princes. He became famous in the capital for his poetry at the age of seven but unfortunately passed away before reaching the age of having a room.”
Creating historical hairstyles is actually very complex. If it's for a restoration style, the stylist must deeply understand hairstyles and accessories from different dynasties. Hanfu is closely related to rituals. In ancient texts, “chuitiao” usually refers to children under the age of seven or eight, while “zongjiao” refers to children between eight or nine and fourteen years old. Girls would tie their hair and use hairpins during the “coming-of-age” ceremony at fifteen, and men would perform the “coronation” ceremony at twenty, called the “weak crown year.” These are all conventions that must be followed when creating hairstyles for historical dramas, or they risk being ridiculed for lack of professionalism. Therefore, skilled historical costume stylists are highly sought after.
After listening to their parents' advice, the girl replies, “Although I may not be intelligent, I dare not fail to follow.” The age of eighteen is a special day, a period transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. Seventeen takes away naivety and immaturity, while eighteen brings the heavy responsibility bestowed by the times and the passion of youth. Led by the host, all the girls swear in the name of youth: Great China, vast its path. Grant me glory, entrust me with great tasks. The oath is a responsibility to ourselves, our parents, and society. The firm vows reflect our attitude towards the past, present, and future.