Hanfu Knowledge

2021 can be considered a prolific year for Chinese hanfu costume related programs. In addition to the familiar Henan TV, which presents a wonderful tour series on the occasion of Chinese traditional festivals, there are also a number of hanfu programs based on Chinese hanfu, traditional dance, and traditional sports events. This article sorts out these programs for you and will continue to update the latest ones. In chronological order by program broadcast. 2022 24节气系列 · 24 Solar Terms 2022 端午奇妙游 · The Marvelous Tour of the Dragon Boat Festival Broadcast time: June 2, 2022 Type: Gala Duration: 56 minutes 2022 The Marvelous Tour of the Dragon Boat Festival is a Duanwu Festival program produced by Henan TV and co-produced by Youku. The program tells the multiple origins of the Dragon Boat Festival by expanding from the commemorating Qu Yuan to knowledge about astrology and solar terms. 2022 元宵奇妙游 · Lantern Festival Wonderful Tour Broadcast time: February 14, 2022 Type: Gala Duration: 52 minutes "Lantern Festival Wonderful Tour" is a series of "Chinese Festivals" produced by Henan TV and co-produced by Youku. Through 3 chapters, the audience can feel the hope of "Yuan", the romance of "Xiao" and the family feeling…

What Are “Irons” Irons is a kind of tool that irons wrinkled clothes and cloth with heat. In modern times, iron is one of the common household appliances, which is used to iron clothes. Nowadays, irons are of various types according to different designs. However, in ancient times, the irons were originally made of stones, pottery, copper and iron pieces, which were heated on the fire and pressed on the clothes to make them flat. The Origin Of The Name “Irons” On the origin of the name “irons”, there are two explanations in ancient Chinese. One is to take the meaning of Beidou, and the other is that the shape of iron is very similar to that of an ancient cooking utensil “dou”. According to research, the ancient Chinese iron was invented earlier than the electric iron in the West in 1880, and it was the first country in the world to invent and use iron. The Development History Of Irons Shang Dynasty The earliest prototype of the iron appeared in the Shang Dynasty, when it was used as a tool of torture, specially used to burn prisoners’ skin. Until the late Qin and early Han Dynasty, its function was…

Song Dynasty clothing mainly refers to the Song Dynasty Hanfu clothes, including the popular clothing in the Northern Song Dynasty and the Southern Song Dynasty, which is a pearl in the development of clothing history.   Brief of Song Dynasty clothing In the beginning, the function of clothing is to shield the body from the cold, but with the development of society, clothing has gradually been given other meanings, which has become a class manifestation of different levels. In feudal society, the dress system has always been an important system of monarch's administration. Different classes and occasions wear different clothes, which cannot violate the regulations. ancient paintings in the Song Dynasty Moreover, clothing can reflect the characteristics of the times. The political, economic, and cultural prosperity of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, in such a social background, has formed a majestic, open, and magnificent clothing characteristics. While the Song Dynasty is different from the prosperous Tang Dynasty in the strength of the force, its emphasis on culture and light military, advocating the social trend of thought of Neo Confucianism, making the Song Dynasty clothing changed the magnificent atmosphere of the previous dynasty, became simple and elegant, conservative and introverted, but also…

The Warring States Period, spanning from 475 BC to 221 BC, was a time of chaos and transformation in ancient China. This era was marked by incessant warfare and the rise and fall of states, ultimately leading to the unification of China under the Qin Dynasty. Here are 15 key facts that paint a vivid picture of this tumultuous period. 1. A Long Era of Warfare The Warring States Period lasted for 254 years, beginning in 475 BC and ending in 221 BC. It was the final chapter of the Zhou Dynasty (1046–221 BC), which itself was divided into three phases: Western Zhou (1046–771 BC), the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC), and finally, the Warring States Period. 2. The Fall of the Zhou Dynasty The Warring States Period began when nobles withdrew their support for the Zhou Dynasty. The vassal states, granted autonomy through a system of enfeoffment, declared independence and vied for territory, transforming into independent kingdoms. 3. Seven Dominant States (Image from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warring_States_period) By the middle of the Warring States Period, the landscape had consolidated into seven major states: Qin, Chu, Zhao, Wei, Han, Yan, and Qi. Each state controlled significant regions, with Qin in the west, Chu…

The story of clothing and costumes is one of the most fascinating developments in human history. Traditional Chinese Dress & Clothing has a long history and cultural content, and it is an important part of Chinese excellent cultural heritage, so It has particular researching value. Every nation in the world has its unique traditional clothing. The particular histories and cultures could be recognized so as for people to distinguish one citizen from another. China, as a multi-ethnic and time-honored country, has many ethnic minorities who have their indigenous culture. The mutual influences among these different cultures have contributed to the rich textures and fabrics of history and have made Chinese clothing with great variation and glory. Traditional Chinese dress & clothing has been shaped and developed alongside the interactive influences between the outside world and China’s own dynastic traditions. Every different dynastic has different scopes of territory, social values, social norms, etc. Therefore, many aesthetic standards were made according to the environments (socially, geographically, economically, politically) of certain dynastic. This is the main reason why traditional Chinese clothing has such many styles. Mount Huang (黄山) 5 Types of  Traditional Chinese Clothing & Dress For exploring the world of traditional Chinese clothing, it…

Zhou Dynasty In Zhou Dynasty, black was called onyx which represented the color of heaven. Therefore, black wedding dresses are considered very noble at that time. An excerpt found in the "Book of Rites, Suburban Special Sacrifice" stated that Zhou Dynasty weddings were low-key and held in a private manner. No gongs, no drums, or music were heard and the wedding was typically held in the evenings. Wei-Jin Dynasties White wedding dresses can be backtracked to as early as the Wei-Jin Dynasties. During this period, ancient Chinese believed that white is pure, simple, and unpretentious. White corresponded to gold out of the five elements of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth, which happens to align with Jin Dynasty implementation of the Jinde system. Therefore, the emperors of the Jin Dynasty wore white gauze hats. The princes also wore white silk dresses when they got married. More information can be found on the "Book of Jin". Another reason is that during the Wei, Jin, Southern, and Northern Dynasties, wars were rampant, and people generally despaired of reality, began to focus on carpe diem in time, or pursue the illusory Taoist metaphysics. Metaphysics is prevalent, and what people are pursuing is "taking…

Han Dynasty clothing refers to the hat and clothing system of the Han Dynasty. After the strict governance of the Qin Dynasty, Liu Bang, who rose to power from a common background, aimed to give the people a break and did not make significant changes to the general systems, including the clothing system, which largely followed the Qin Dynasty. It wasn't until the second year of Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty's Yongping era (59 AD) that a formal and comprehensive regulation was established. Hanfu in Social Hierarchy  The hierarchical status of clothing during the Han Dynasty was primarily reflected through hats and ceremonial sashes. Different official ranks had different hats. Therefore, the hat system was particularly complex, with as many as 16 types. There were also strict regulations for shoes during the Han Dynasty. Ritual attire required wearing flat shoes (xu), court attire required wearing (lü) shoes, and outdoor attire required wearing sandals (ji). When women got married, they were supposed to wear wooden clogs, which were painted and tied with colorful ribbons. Historical Evolution During the early period of Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang himself had a limited understanding of the symbolic role of clothing. He once…

In the heart of every Chinese New Year celebration lies a cherished tradition known as lo hei 捞鱼生. This vibrant and joyous custom, also referred to as yusheng, is a colorful raw fish salad that holds deep cultural significance in Chinese communities, particularly in Singapore. What exactly is 'Lo Hei'?  (Photo by: https://asianinspirations.com.au/recipes/prosperity-toss-salad-yu-sheng/) Lo hei, which translates to "tossing good fortune" in Cantonese, embodies the spirit of renewal and optimism associated with the new year. The dish typically consists of thinly sliced raw fish, commonly salmon, accompanied by an array of fresh vegetables, fruits, and condiments. Each ingredient holds symbolic meaning, and the act of tossing the salad high into the air is believed to usher in blessings and prosperity for the year ahead. Origins of the Tradition The origins of lo hei can be traced back to China, where similar customs are practiced during the Lunar New Year festivities. The Ritual of Tossing (捞鱼生步骤） One of the most exhilarating aspects of lo hei is the tossing ritual itself. As the salad is assembled on a large platter, participants use chopsticks to toss the ingredients high into the air while reciting auspicious phrases and well-wishes for the new year. The…

Feiyufu (飞鱼服) first became known to the public because of the "New Dragon Gate Inn (新龙门客栈)", "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (龙门飞甲)", "Brotherhood of Blades (绣春刀)" and other martial arts film works about the Jin Yi Wei (锦衣卫, Embroidered Uniform Guard) appeared one after another. The look of a handsome black leather Feiyufu of the Jin Yi Wei undoubtedly attracted the attention of many people. As Feiyufu became more and more famous, it almost became the representative of the Ming Dynasty official uniform in the general public's mind. So what exactly is Feiyufu and did every Jin Yi Wei in history get to wear it? In this article, we will introduce the history of Feiyufu and the origin of Jin Yi Wei, hope it will be helpful to you.   What is a Feiyufu? The name Feiyufu does not refer to a specific style of hanfu, but all hanfu decorated with Feiyu embroidery or Feiyu Buzi (补子, Mandarin square) are called Feiyufu, which only limits the style of the pattern, not the style of the clothing. In the Ming Dynasty, the Buzi on the Changfu (常服, work formal wear) of the officials were patterned with birds and animals. In the…

Meet Princess Pingyang, a fearless woman who lived during the tumultuous times of ancient China. Born in the 590s to Li Yuan, the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty, she was destined for greatness. When her father planned to rebel against the tyrannical Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, Pingyang fearlessly answered his call, defying all odds. With her husband hesitant to join her, Pingyang made a bold decision and went alone, confident that her gender would offer her some protection. And boy, was she right! She quickly rallied hundreds of men, distributing her wealth among them and earning their unwavering loyalty. With her army of rebels growing, Pingyang led the charge, capturing cities left and right, and soon had a force of over 70,000 men! Her father was impressed by her military genius and granted her the coveted title of General, and the nickname "Army of the Lady". The following year, they successfully overthrew the Sui Dynasty, and Li Yuan established the Tang Dynasty, crowning himself Emperor Gaozu, with Princess Pingyang by his side. Sadly, Princess Pingyang died a few years later, but her father ensured that her contributions would never be forgotten. When the Ministry of Rites refused…

In recent years, Hanfu has received more and more attention. More and more Hanfu cultural festivals are being held in different cities in China, and worldwide, and thousands of Hanfu enthusiasts are participating in them. The Beauty of Hanfu Is in the Heritage So why is Hanfu so popular? In today's society, people have higher and higher requirements for aesthetics, and the special classical beauty of Hanfu attracts countless people to love it, and then to pay attention to it and understand it. So it is no wonder that Hanfu is so popular. And the beauty of Hanfu is not just on the surface, but in the thousands of years of traditional etiquette and civilization of the Chinese nation that it carries. Today we bring you some of the Hanfu collections from "Yi Guan Da Cheng-Ming Dynasty Costume Culture Exhibition", these collections come from the Shandong Museum and Confucius Museum, most of them are Ming Dynasty clothing, which is not only beautifully made and complete sets, but also very significant for costume research. I hope you can also learn something from these collections. Detailed video about "Yi Guan Da Cheng-Ming Dynasty Costume Culture Exhibition":  Based on the previous dynasty,…

Tang Dynasty clothing mainly refers to the Tang Dynasty Hanfu clothes. Tang Dynasty is a period of great prosperity of China's feudal society. Both people's thoughts and material production have reached the ancient historical peak. Since the Tang Dynasty, a large number of flower patterns have been widely used in craft decoration. Its composition is lively and free, dense and symmetrical, plump, and mellow. Especially after the combination of wavy continuous patterns and floral plants, it was the popular pattern in that period. Tang Dynasty beauty pictures The style of the Tang Dynasty clothing has taken real flowers, grass, fish, and insects for sketching, instead of the previous creative idea of the "Mandate of Heaven." Still, the traditional mythical animals, like dragon and phoenix pattern, has not been excluded. At this time, the design of costume patterns tends to express the free, open mind and casual artistic style. The Feature of Tang Dynasty Clothing In the Tang Dynasty, foreign trade was developed, and the country was peaceful for a long time. Especially when the Tang Dynasty became the center of economic and cultural exchanges among Asian nations, it was the most glorious page in the history of Asian history. This…

Hanfu (汉服, hàn fú), Chinese traditional costume, the full name of which is "traditional costume of Han nationality". It is also known as Han Yiguan(汉衣冠), Han Zhuang (汉装), and Huafu (华服), which was formed from the reign of the Yellow Emperor to the middle of the 17th century (late Ming and early Qing dynasties), in the main residential areas of the Han nationality, with "Huaxia-Han" culture as the background and the dominant idea. With the Chinese ceremonial culture as the center, through natural evolution, formed the unique style and character of the Han nationality, obviously different from the traditional clothing and accessories system of other nationalities. This guide is classified according to the 1: basic feature of the Hanfu, 2: Hanfu shape & style, 3: Hanfu in different wearing scenes, 4: Hanfu in different dynasties, and the 5: related contents of Hanfu, so as to facilitate readers to understand and query.   Basic Feature of the Hanfu 1.1: Basic Structure Hanfu is cut from 50cm wide cloth and divided into parts: Ling (领, lǐng, collar), Jin(襟, jīn, placket), Ren (衽, rèn, overlapping part), Jin (衿, jīn or jìn), Ju (裾, jū), Xiu (袖, xiù, sleeves), Mei (袂, mèi), Dai (带, dài,…