In the campus of Qingdao Agricultural University, it's not uncommon to see several female students dressed in wide-sleeved robes, adorned with patterns of intertwined lotus flowers, exuding an ancient charm. However, this scene is not from a historical drama but rather a group of Qingdao Agricultural University students who are passionate about Hanfu, traditional clothing of the Han nationality. To these students, wearing their nation's traditional attire on the street is a very normal thing. They also hope that through their daily wear of Hanfu, more people can learn about Hanfu culture.
Recently, Jiangsu Normal University held a Hanfu graduation ceremony for over 900 graduate students, where all attendees and leaders wore Hanfu. In today's modern world, donning such ancient clothing has sparked debates: is this a return to tradition or just a show? Often, we only raise doubts without truly understanding the essence of the matter, leading to various misunderstandings. The biggest misconception about Hanfu is that it is merely ancient costume, the attire of the Han Dynasty?
Many historical dramas often misrepresent cultural history, distorting its essence. In the TV series “Sitan”, each piece of clothing worn by the characters has been well-received by the audience, similarly, many netizens have fallen in love with cheongsams. From online perspectives, these costumes can be quite expensive, so one could start by purchasing Hanfu instead. Some Hanfu is relatively inexpensive and suitable for students, which is why many people enjoy it.
As the concept of Hanfu gains wider acceptance, ten years after the inception of the Hanfu movement, the initial phase's achievements have become evident, with society changing the term “ancient costume” to Hanfu. News reports about “which celebrity looks the most beautiful in Hanfu?” or “university students taking graduation photos in Hanfu” are frequently seen in media, though upon opening the articles, it becomes clear that what people are wearing is what netizens perceive as “ancient costume” or studio outfits. This shift can be considered a success of the Hanfu movement's first phase, renaming “ancient costume” to Hanfu, thereby rapidly expanding the audience for the concept of Hanfu.
A mathematics teacher had the whole class dress in ancient attire for a math lesson, aiming to deepen students' understanding of ancient mathematical concepts and the academic mysteries of ancient mathematics culture. When the math teacher introduces this innovative teaching method of wearing Hanfu, students will experience a new context for learning, feeling a different classroom culture. Not only will this make the previously monotonous learning atmosphere more vibrant, but it will also improve students' learning outcomes.
When it comes to wearing Hanfu, elementary school students keep it simple, middle school students look cute, but when university students do it, it's like they're saying, “Enough with the show!” Elementary school, middle school, and high school students all have opportunities to showcase Hanfu; how could university students be left out? University students also love wearing Hanfu, but their personalities tend to be more playful, using a popular term to describe them as “funny.” Recently, a photo of a university student in Hanfu went viral on the internet, featuring a young lady wearing white prisoner's garb, how amusing is that?
With the increase in Hanfu styles, particularly the addition of non-cross-collar designs, people gradually discovered that Zhongyi (a type of traditional undergarment) isn't as versatile as expected. However, the existence of Zhongyi is already established, and in the face of public opinion regarding Hanfu as ancient costumes or inconvenient attire, Hanfu enthusiasts were eager to prove its practicality and convenience in everyday life. Unlike current efforts to give Hanfu a professional or student-friendly look, the focus back then was on creating a sense of commonality. Thus, there was a trend within the Hanfu community to make Zhongyi more versatile, replacing shirts or sleepwear. (This may sound familiar because the trend continues today, albeit with a focus on other items rather than Zhongyi.)
Bai Jing, a student from the aircrew department of the college, dressed in Hanfu, said that they were also there to participate in interviews, hoping to catch the attention of the judges and showcase their unique classical charm. “I wore my dance costume from school performances to the interview, hoping to pass smoothly,” Bai Jing expressed. She believes that wearing traditional attire can display her talents and charm, earning higher impression scores. It is reported that over 40 students passed the interview. Sichuan Online
The post-2000s generation of primary school students have taken off their traditional sports uniforms, donning various styles of Hanfu to go to school, experiencing ancient classrooms, and immersing themselves in classical culture. They are very fond of Hanfu, feeling as beautiful as characters from historical dramas. Not only do they wear Hanfu, but they also study Hanfu culture, understand Hanfu, and fall in love with it. Many netizens commented, “Education should start from childhood; it seems our traditional culture is making a comeback.”
20. Questions and Answers About the Revival of Hanfu: What is the Hanfu Movement? The Hanfu Movement is a social and cultural initiative started by the general public, where supporters of traditional culture aim to influence the masses and promote traditional culture by reviving traditional Han Chinese attire. The Hanfu Movement is one form of the current revival of Huaxia culture and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the cultural domain. Currently, the Hanfu Movement has transitioned from online to offline activities, thriving across major cities in China and among overseas Chinese and international students. Is Hanfu just ancient costume? If you saw friends from other ethnic groups wearing their traditional clothing passed down through generations, would you consider that ancient costume? Due to some special historical reasons, Hanfu experienced a break of over a hundred years, which is why many Han Chinese lack the concept of traditional national attire, mistakenly believing that Hanfu is ancient costume. Hanfu is not ancient costume but beautiful traditional clothing that ancestors wore, which we can also wear today. If wearing Hanfu appears