History & Culture

The ancient simplicity of Qin, the elegance of Han, the splendor of Tang, the gracefulness of Song, and the dignity of Ming, every pattern and design of Han clothing is engraved with the mark of China's history. With the help of professional research, this article will share some basic knowledge of Hanfu clothing, inviting everyone to appreciate the stunning attire of Chinese ancestors.   01 Hanfu Clothing: A Comprehensive Dressing System Hanfu clothing has undergone thousands of years of evolution. It originated as an important manifestation of social ranking, etiquette, and lifestyle, while also reflecting the characteristics of different times through displaying the state of textile technology, aesthetic consciousness, and daily customs. After thousands of years of cultural accumulation, Hanfu clothing has become an important cultural symbol. It is not entirely accurate to call Hanfu the traditional attire of the Han people. Based on today's concept, Hanfu clothing should be considered the traditional attire of the Chinese nation as a whole. The Han ethnicity is inclusive, throughout the changing dynasties, Han clothing continuously absorbed foreign styles and underwent multiple periods of integration among various ethnic groups to develop rich styles and unique aesthetics. Therefore, Hanfu clothing is not merely the…

The earthly lights and the moon in the sky, the most beautiful thing is reunion. As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches once again, mooncakes are an indispensable part. A box of mooncakes is not only a delicious pastry that delights the taste buds, but also carries heartfelt wishes and folk stories. Museums across China have also presented creative mooncakes, incorporating the cultural treasures of Chinese heritage, adding a touch of romantic national aesthetics to the Mid-Autumn Festival.   The Palace Museum In the collection of the Palace Museum, there is an imperial seal of Emperor Qianlong: "The moon is depicted with colors, water has sound". The brushwork is exquisite, capturing the scenery of the moon in the mountains and lakes. This year, the Palace Museum's mooncake gift box is inspired by this theme, combining traditional Chinese colors and dyeing techniques to appreciate the beauty of the country amidst mountains, rivers, and the moon. "Only the clear wind on the river and the bright moon in the mountains, the sound is heard in the ears, and the color is seen in the eyes." Take a bite of the Palace Museum mooncake, and the clear wind and bright moon will be in your…

As you may know, the Ming-style Hanfu is perfect for the winter, because it's wide enough to fit a lot of warm clothes. So, what other Chinese winter clothing can you think of for winter wear besides the Ming-style? Maybe Changyi is a good choice, follow along with Hanfu Culture Society to learn more about this Hanfu style that will bring you warmth in the cold winter. [Structure and History] Changyi (氅衣, chǎng yī), also known as Hechang (鹤氅) or Dachang (大氅). Straight collar, parallel opening, large sleeves, a pair of laces on the front lapel to tie the knot, the length of the coat is up to the calf or ankle. The body is mostly light in color, but can be decorated with ornate patterns, with dark edges on the collar and sleeve edges, and usually with no slits on the sides, but can be made with slits or pleats. As one of the categories of traditional Chinese winter clothing for male, Changyi has appeared in traditional Chinese literature with high frequency since the Eastern Jin Dynasty. However, the actual form of the Changyi varies greatly from one period to another. The earliest recorded appearance of the Changyi as…

When it comes to the gracefulness and elegance of hanfu, the sleeves must take at least half of the credit for the gesture. I believe the deepest impression of Chinese hanfu costumes is that they have wide sleeves. In fact, types of hanfu sleeves are not only wide sleeves, but they also vary in width, length, and posture, so I wonder which "sleeve posture" is most to your liking?     Large sleeve Large sleeves (大袖), also known as the wide sleeve, or what we commonly call the "wide sleeve", is known for its wide sleeve width, with the width of the cuff even approaching the sleeve length. It is the most classic sleeve shape of Hanfu, and also the most "fairy" one. Robe (length 135 cm, waist width 65 cm, through-arm length 249 cm, sleeve width 72 cm.) The pose of "wide clothes and large sleeves" is the most common in hanfu dresses. Because it is inconvenient to work, it is mostly reserved for the upper class and is often a symbol of etiquette. However, due to changes in the system, status, wearing occasions, socio-economic culture, and other factors, the same large sleeves have different forms. Among the Ming…

The Shang Dynasty, which ruled over a vast area of China from roughly 1600 BCE to 1046 BCE, is known not only for its impressive dynasty achievements in bronze casting, architecture, and oracle bone script but also for its exquisite attire and makeup. Clothing and cosmetics were more than just functional items during this era; they were essential elements that reflected one's social status, class, and personal taste. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of Shang Dynasty fashion and beauty and learn about the various styles, materials, and colors used by ancient Chinese people to express themselves through their appearance.   The Clothing of the Shang Dynasty Shang Tang, the head of the vassal state of the Xia Dynasty, led the vassal state to establish the Shang Dynasty in Bo (now Shangqiu) by winning the Battle of Mingtiao. The Shang Dynasty (about 1600 BC ~ 1046 BC) was the second dynasty in Chinese history, also known as the Yin Shang (殷商). It was the first dynasty in China to have direct written records in its own age. At that time, most of the texts were pictographic, or even just pictures. The Shang Dynasty has gone through…

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…

To truly understand the fashionable attire of Tang Dynasty women, one must not miss the renowned painting "Court Ladies Adorning Their Hair with Flowers". It is said that during the late 8th century in the Zhenyuan era, painter Zhou Fang created this masterpiece. This painting serves as a benchmark for ancient lady paintings and fully showcases the dressing essentials of fashionable Tang Dynasty women. Cctvnewscenter has made a fine interpretation of this painting, come and feel the charm of Tang Dynasty fashion.   The great Tang Dynasty style In this painting, there are five ladies with adorning flowers and one maid holding a fan. Enjoying themselves amidst blooming flowers and elegant cranes, with two playful dogs nearby. The dressings of these Tang Dynasty fashion influencers not only emphasize color coordination but also pay attention to layering, exuding sophistication and ambiance. The women in the painting wear dresses made from yarn or silk, which were considered to be the most fashionable fabrics in Tang Dynasty. A strapless long skirt trails on the ground while transparent shawl wrap around both sides. Loose and comfortable wide sleeves, mainly in shades of red with various decorative patterns. Let's focus on these ladies: the second woman from…

Iron is a common small appliance in modern homes, and almost every home has one, but did you know that irons have been in use since 2000 years ago, or even earlier? How did the ancients iron Hanfu?   The Origin of the Ancient Iron The origin of the name "Yundou (熨斗, iron)" is that its image is similar to that of "Big Dipper", and secondly, the shape of the Yundou is like the China ancient cooking utensil "Dou (斗)". In ancient China, the Yundou, also known as "fire Dou", "gold Dou (an iron made of gilding technology, it is not a general folk good)", "Gumu (钴鉧)", its main function is to iron Hanfu clothes, the effect is two: one is to iron out any wrinkled areas of clothing, another effect is to iron the pleats, at where need to be visibly pleated. The first iron was made of stones, pottery, or copper, roasting on the fire, and then pressed on the clothes to iron them. It is said that iron was invented before the end of the Shang Dynasty. King Zhou of the Shang Dynasty was inspired by the fact that irons burned people's hands when they were used,…

What is Hanfu? What is Hanfu culture? What are the characteristics of Hanfu? What is the craft of Hanfu? Hanfu is the traditional costume of Han nationality. In a narrow sense, it includes the main costumes worn and formed by Han nationality, which originated from Chinese civilization, more than four thousand years before the emperor hung his clothes and the emperor ruled the country until the end of Ming Dynasty. In a broad sense, it also includes modern costumes made according to the shape of Hanfu in a narrow sense. Hanfu clothing refers to clothing, including clothing, headwear, hairstyle, face decoration, shoes, accessories, and other common combinations of the whole Chinese clothing system. Tang Dynasty embroidered skirt-Qixiong Ruqun The modern Hanfu can be divided into traditional Hanfu and modern Hanfu: The former refers to the Hanfu with rigorous shape, exquisite version and ancient pattern materials. The patterns tend to be retro, such as four clouds pattern, flying fish pattern, etc. Some traditional techniques will also be used in the production, such as grass and wood dyeing, gold weaving, and tapestry; The latter is not limited to the ancient system in the pattern and material, but more integrated with the aesthetic…

Teacher’s day begins 35 years ago: September 10, 1985. Since then, the annual Teacher’s day has become a major event in people’s life. Respecting teachers has become a virtue. From a certain perspective, China’s Teacher’s Day has a history of more than 2,000 years. History of teachers’ Day Ancient teacher’s day has a great relationship with Confucius. In the Han and Jin Dynasties, the emperor would lead civil and military officials to worship the Confucius Temple and invite teachers to dinner on the birthday of Confucius. In the Tang and Song Dynasties, Confucius’ birthday ceremony was held in every state, prefecture, and county in the kingdom of heaven. The ceremony was very grand at that time. In the Qing Dynasty, the scale and scope of Confucius’ Birthday Ceremony became grander and grander. The most outstanding teachers were awarded eight grade titles on this day and were promoted to President, supervisor, librarian, etc. The meaning of “teacher” “Teacher” originally refers to an old and senior scholar or academic imparter. In fact, in addition to “teacher”, there are many names for teachers in ancient times, such as Mr., master, Professor, assistant, doctor, etc. Doctor In ancient times, there was the word doctor.…

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…

With winter approaching, what to wear to keep warm is a top priority. Why not take a look at how the ancient Chinese wear to kept warm?   The thinnest winter coat - paper clothes Did the ancients enjoy the winter with wine and food, wearing mink and fox fur? Perhaps slightly different from the Chinese drama, that is just the illusion created by the rich people, in fact, before the popularity of cotton, there were also paper clothes in history. Zhi Qiu (纸裘, paper clothes), as the name implies, it is made of paper mulberry, rattan paper, and other paper made of clothing, since the emergence of the Wei and Jin, to the Tang and Song dynasties, began to be popular on a large scale in the folk. According to historical records, at that time, the poor people suffered from war and were displaced, so they made paper clothes to protect themselves from the cold due to the lack of cloth. The low cost of paper materials, easy to obtain, so it can be widely popular. Not only did the people favor paper clothes, there was also a group of people who liked to wear paper clothes, namely monks.…

People are always curious about history, wondering about the appearance of famous figures from the past. Today, with the help of AI technology, the face of the emperor of the Song Dynasty has been recreated. The Song Dynasty was an important era in Chinese history, with its territory expanding and contracting, divided into the Northern Song and Southern Song periods. The capital of the Northern Song was in Bianjing (modern-day Kaifeng), while the capital of the Southern Song was in Lin'an (modern-day Hangzhou). The Song Dynasty was a time of prosperity in commercial economy and cultural education in Chinese history. During this period, there was relatively enlightened politics, agricultural development, thriving commerce and urban centers, social changes, the revival of Confucianism leading to the formation of Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, rapid technological advancements, flourishing poetry, and high achievements in calligraphy and painting. Scholars estimate that the Song Dynasty's GDP accounted for 22.7% of the world economy at that time, and the total population in 1124 reached 126 million. Some scholars praise the cultural achievements of the Han Chinese, culminating in the Song eras after thousands of years of evolution.   Zhao Kuangyin Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin (960-976), reigned…

Vocabulary Ji, 笄 (jī) - the most simplistic hair accessories to secure updos used by ancient Chinese.  Zan, 簪 (zān) - a more complex version of Ji. What hanfu hairpins are now called. On one end are accessories, and the other is a pin that is inserted into a hair bun. Chai, 钗 (chāi) - also a hairpin quite similar to Zan. Chāi have two split pins on one end. The two pins will get pushed into the hair bun and stay much more securely than one pin in Zan and Ji. Guan, 冠 (guān) - literal translation is "crown". The crown in ancient China looked more like a net hat that encompassed hair buns within. Based on the crown, any sort of hairpin can be used to further secure the hat to the head.   Materials and Purpose Ji are considered the earliest and plainest hair accessories. It takes on the shape of a stick with or without a simple carved out design on one end and a single stick on the other. It is often carved out of a single piece of material or cut out separately then assembled at the end. This accessory is said to exist even…

We often see the Chinese Hanfu face veil in Chinese movies and TV series, often bringing a sense of mystery, so today we're going to take a deeper look at it.   Two Kinds of Hanfu Face Veil in Ancient China Mili (羃䍦, mi lí) Mili, a unique ancient hat ornament, was mainly used to conceal the face and body. It was first recorded in writing in the Jin Dynasty and was worn by both men and women at the beginning of its popularity, but it was mainly used by women in the Sui and Tang Dynasties and was abandoned in the Tang Dynasty. Weimao (帷帽, wéi mào) Weimao was originally a hu garment, originally called a Mili, which was usually made of black yarn, surrounded by a wide brim, with a hanging silkscreen or thin silk that reached down to the neck to cover the face. Usually, the length of the curtain is just long enough to show the shoulders.   Historical Origins of Two Hanfu Face Veil Mi and Li were first used to refer to two items, namely, a silk scarf and a white cap respectively. It was not until the Jin Dynasty that the two words…

Whenever it comes to an important Chinese holiday, the National Day of China or the Chinese New Year. You would always see red color in various places in China. Besides adding to the festive atmosphere, the color red is also an important part of the world's perception of China. Why does red represent China? How did red become the favorite color of the Chinese people? Today we will talk about the China-red!   How much do Chinese people like red? China-red, as the underlying color of Chinese culture, is everywhere, all the time. Such as the vermilion gate, red walls and pillars of the Forbidden City, or the redwood furniture and red quilts of people's homes. From the bride's red veil, red wedding dress, red embroidered shoes, etc., to the red Dudou (肚兜) worn by children. And red Fai Chun, red lanterns, red paper cutting, red envelope, red seals ...... There are too many objects off red in China to count. The Chinese can be said to have applied the color red to an extreme. Chinese directors also like to apply red in their films, such as Zhang Yimou. The films "Hong Gao Liang (红高粱)", "Ju Dou (菊豆)", "House of…

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…

Brief history describing the purpose of yunjian, history, and changes overtime between modern period and past. I've been doing some researches into differnt styles of hanfu worn in various Dynasties and what they look like. I came upon Ming Dynasty and the description of yunjian being one of the clothing that's is often worn by the citizens. I find them interesting and decided to share them here as a brief history to leanring how yunjian came to be.   What is yunjian? Yunjian (云肩), also known as a shawl (披肩) is a type of clothing decoration that developed after the Sui Dynasty. It is mainly made from materials such as silk and satin brocade, taking on shapes such as clouds or having clouds embroidered onto a cloth. Its purpose when first integrated into everyday wear isn't simply just for decorations. But with time and as the popularity of yunjian rose in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it gradually became a part that added depth to what is being worn, like pendants or necklaces - and added decorations to the overall looks.  If laid out on a flat surface, yunjian's shape is quite similar to a donut. Only the part facing…

There are many styles of Hanfu, which are easy to confuse. Then what are the main styles of Hanfu? Let Fashion Hanfu introduce to you now. According to the height of the skirt, the skirt is divided into Qiyao Ruqun, Qixiong Ruqun. Ruqun. Ruqun is an item of traditional Chinese attire primarily for women but also for men. It consists of a blouse and a wrap-around skirt. It is the eldest type of Hanfu which is said to have been worn by the legendary Yellow Emperor. Qixiong Ruqun. As the name implies, the waist of the skirt has always been tied on the waist, it is a unique Ruqun type worn by women. Qiyao Ruqun Qixiong Ruqun According to the style of the collar, the skirt is divided into Jiaoling Ruqun(cross-necked skirt), Duijin Ruqun(cardigan skirt), and Zhiling Ruqun(stand collar skirt). Jiaoling Ruqun Duijin Ruqun Zhiling Ruqun According to the difference between the folder, the jacket skirt is divided into a single jacket and compound jacket, the single jacket is close to the shirt (Big sleeve shirt), the compound jacket is close to the jacket (Aoqun). Aoqun. Aoqun is said to be the simple dresses of the Han dynasty. They are…

Ancient paintings are one of the most important ways to explore the ancient traditional Hanfu, and the Hanfu styles in some classic famous paintings are even more popular among Hanfu enthusiasts. The charm of the Wei and Jin dynasties, the gracefulness of the Tang Dynasty, the elegance of the Song Dynasty, just flow into reality from ancient paintings. Today, take a look at those restored Hanfu costumes from ancient paintings!   Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk (Dao Lian Tu, 捣练圖) shows women at work pounding, weaving, ironing and sewing, and is an important custom painting of the Tang Dynasty. The women in the painting are voluptuous and dressed in various colors of Qixiong dresses, if looking closely, you can see that the fabric is decorated with colorful patterns, mainly with Tuan Hua (团花). At present, there are some restored Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk hanfu, which can be said to be very nicely restored in color and pattern, fresh, natural and antique style.   A Palace Concert A Palace Concert (Tang Ren Gong Le Tu, 唐人宫乐图) depicts the life of court lady at a banquet during the late Tang Dynasty. Around the…

In the previous article, we mentioned that the Shenyi (深衣) was slightly similar in appearance to the Daofu, which was inherited from the previous dynasty. But in modern hanfu, Shenyi is often thought to refer to Zhiju Shenyi and Quju Shenyi. In fact, Shenyi is considered to be the Fa Fu (法服) of ancient sages and has been highly revered by Confucians. let's follow Hanfu Culture Society to learn more about Shenyi, one of the oldest forms of Chinese dress!   [Structure and History] Shenyi, Jiaoling Youren (交领右衽), wide sleeves. It is generally white or jade, with Zao (皁, zào, i.e., black) edge at the collar and sleeve edges of the lapel. White and black are the most original two colors, symbolizing the alternation of light and dark, Yin and Yang. The upper and lower parts of the garment are cut separately and connected at the waist, symbolizing the unity of heaven and earth. The lower garment is made of twelve pieces, six at the front and six at the back, symbolizing the twelve months, and the middle seam of the upper garment is connected to the middle seam of the lower garment. The difference between Shenyi and Shenyi system:…

Bijia (比甲) is a kind of Chinese outfit, it is a sleeveless and collarless vest, with two sides split to the knee. Its style is longer than that of the later vest, generally to the hip or knee, some longer, less than a ruler (about 33 cm long) from the ground. The main function is to keep warm, the advantage is very convenient, Bijia popular in the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. Origin & Development of Bijia Bijia was designed and made by the empress of Kublai Khan (the emperor of the Yuan Dynasty). At the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty, Bijia was worn by the emperor, and later gradually became popular among the people. Since the application of buttons in clothes appeared in the Yuan Dynasty, buttons have also been used in Bijia, which is more convenient and compact to wear. This is a new change in traditional Chinese outfits. Shape & Wear Style of Bijia In the Yuan Dynasty, Bijia was sleeveless and collarless, and the back of the garment was longer than the front, with two buttons made of thread on each side of the split, it was originally designed for the convenience of riding. The front chest…

As one of the most celebrated and sought-after ceramics of the Song Dynasty, Ru ware embodies a sense of understated refinement that has captivated collectors and scholars alike for centuries. One of the hallmarks of this delicate porcelain is its unique coloring, which comes from the use of glazes made from carefully selected natural materials. These hues are not only beautiful in their own right but also imbued with symbolic meaning that reflect important cultural values. In this article, we take a look at the ceramics of Zhang Wentao, a master of traditional Chinese arts and crafts, and delve into the delicate world of Ru ware and the fascinating relationship between its traditional colors and Chinese culture. As the pinnacle of Chinese porcelain, the beauty of Song Dynasty Ru ware has been continuously receive attention since its birth and gradually integrated into the lives of literati in various dynasties. Unlike the richness and liveliness of the Tang Dynasty, it removes all decorations and returns to nature. Simple and elegant, crystal clear. "Like jade, not jade, but better than jade", the aesthetic mood of the peaceful East is revealed. Even ancient emperors cannot resist this beauty. In the late Northern Song…

Quju Robe This style of Han clothing comes from the Qin Dynasty to the Han Dynasty, also known as the round Lapel robe, which is usually defined as the robe made of deep clothes. It is characterized by a right Lapel with a cross collar. The end of the lapel is usually triangular in shape and is fixed by a tie around the back. So far, the unearthed objects are the Shan Rao Qu Ju robe from the Han Dynasty tomb of Mawangdui in Changsha, and its shape needs further study. Qixiong Ruqun Qixiong Ruqun is generally composed of a short upper Ruqu and a long chest skirt. It is also a variation of Ruqun, which is usually defined as a clothing system.Qixiong Ruqun is characterized by that the skirt is usually tied above the chest, and the chest strap can be tied in the center or the front and sides of the chest. Qixiong Ruqun was mainly popular during the Sui Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, and Five Dynasties. Today’s common forms are generally made with reference to the styles of the middle and late Tang Dynasty. In addition, the collar type of Qixiong Ruqun can be divided into two types:…