History & Culture

Pibo (披帛, pī bó), traditional Hanfu shawl, made from light fabric silk, although now the Hanfu enthusiasts accustomed to call it Pibo, but the name "Pibo" actually appeared later, about the late Tang Dynasty, more often it is called Pei (帔, pèi). In earlier Chinese dramas, Pei was once the symbol of "Chinese ancient costume" with its elegant and beautiful features. In the wardrobe of ancient women, Pei has always been very distinctive and not to be ignored part, wrapped between the arms or draped over the shoulders and neck. Also in Chinese wedding customs, there is "Fengguan Xiapei (凤冠霞帔)", different eras of Pei also have different styles. So how has Pei changed over its long history, and what role has it played? Follow along with Dongfang Zhuangdao to find out more. Traditional Hanfu Shawl Pei before the Song Dynasty Pei, a long silk shawl worn by women in ancient times, is thought to have originated during the Qin and Han dynasties, the more accepted theory is that it was influenced by Buddhism and Metaphysics and originated from the Dajin (搭巾) worn by figures in statues. Buddhist statue wearing Dajin Since the beginning of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, in…

Nanjing Cloud Brocade (云锦, Yunjin) is a traditional Chinese silk craft that dates back to 417 and has a history of 1,600 years, known as "inch of brocade, inch of gold". Today, the traditional characteristics and unique skills of cloud brocade are still maintained, and the traditional jacquard wooden machine weaving has been retained. This traditional hand weaving technique, which relies on human memory to weave, still cannot be replaced by modern machines. In the ancient silk fabric, "brocade (Jin, 锦)" is the fabric representing the highest level of technology. The three famous Chinese brocades are cloud brocade, Shu brocade (蜀锦), and Song brocade (宋锦), and Nanjing cloud brocade is a collection of the art of weaving silk craft of all generations, ranking the first, represents the highest achievement of Chinese silk weaving, and is the brilliant crystallization of Chinese silk culture. This article will share the history, characteristics of Chinese silk crafts: the Nanjing Yun brocade.   History of Nanjing Cloud Brocade At the end of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Liu Yu destroyed the Later Qin and moved the craftsmen workers to Nanjing, where advanced production techniques were brought to the south from Xi'an and the silk weaving industry…

Beizi is a kind of Hanfu, which began in Sui Dynasty and was popular in song and Ming Dynasties. Most of Beizi are straight collar, the sides are not sewn from the armpits. They are usually worn over other clothes. Although the Song Dynasty established a unified dynasty, it was different from the Tang Dynasty in terms of comprehensive national strength and military strength. In the face of the huge military pressure, the government of the Song Dynasty was unable to resist. Instead, they just gave in and gave up their territory in exchange for peace. At the same time, they took the feudal thought to control the people and imprison people’s thought. This historical background and social trend of thought directly affected people’s attitude towards life and aesthetic taste. The overall artistic style of Song Dynasty emphasized the restraint of individual personality and desire, with a strong color of abstinence. The fashion of paying attention to moral cultivation greatly affected the dress. Therefore, the dress of Song Dynasty returned to the traditional and simple style, revealing the beauty of modesty and elegance. Style In Song Dynasty, Beizi’s collars were divided into three types, namely, straight collar, oblique collar and…

From the beginning of the hanfu revival to today, regardless of the general acceptance of hanfu, there are always some hanfu lovers who wear hanfu to some events and occasionally encounter the question asked by others: Are you going to attend a Peking Opera performance or the recording of the show? Of course, such embarrassing situations may be rarer nowadays, but most people still confuse traditional Chinese opera costumes with the hanfu. The costumes used in Beijing opera are also categorized with traditional Chinese opera costumes, which are different from the Chinese hanfu costume. It is because some of the opera costumes are inspired by hanfu and naturally there are similarities in some parts, but what are the specific differences between the two? Let's follow the Hanfu Shidai (汉服世代) and find out.   Chinese Opera costume vs Hanfu Hanfu - the full name of the Han traditional costume system - is divided into two historical stages: ancient and modern. The ancient hanfu originated from the creation of the Yellow Emperor's garments and vanished at the beginning of the Qing Dynasty under the policy of "Tifa Yifu", which was a self-contained cultural system. The modern hanfu is a traditional national dress…

The elegance of the Han and Jin dynasties, the grace of the Tang dynasty, the refinement of the Song dynasty, and the magnificence of the Ming and Qing dynasties – throughout China’s five thousand years of history, each era has its unique charm in beauty and fashion. This article will take you on a journey through various dynasties, allowing you to appreciate the distinctive allure of ancient Chinese women’s hairstyles. The Han Dynasty and Wei-Jin Period During the Han Dynasty, the elegant and dignified hair bun showcased the noble and graceful temperament of women. Hairstyles of this period emphasized smooth and harmonious lines, with meticulous attention to detail, presenting a refined and classical charm. In the Wei-Jin Period, women’s hairstyles embraced a sense of simplicity and freshness. The hair buns became more straightforward, emphasizing natural charm, often adorned with headbands or hairpins to highlight a playful and lovely aspect. During this time, hairstyles focused on comfort and naturalness, reflecting the openness and diversity of Wei-Jin culture. The Southern and Northern Dynasties and Sui Dynasty During the period of the Southern and Northern Dynasties, China experienced political divisions and turmoil, leading to the blending of diverse regional cultures, which also influenced…

Discover the allure of Hanfu dresses and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the Han Chinese community. These exquisite garments have captivated fashion enthusiasts worldwide with their timeless elegance and intricate craftsmanship. From traditional ceremonies to everyday wear, Hanfu dresses are the perfect attire for every occasion, symbolizing tradition, grace, and cultural pride. Sacrificial Ceremonies: Honor Your Ancestors in Style Pay homage to your ancestors and participate in solemn sacrificial ceremonies with the grace and beauty of Hanfu dresses. These garments are steeped in tradition, featuring graceful lines and intricate details that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Han Chinese. By wearing Hanfu dresses, you can embody the spirit of ancestral worship and showcase your respect for cultural traditions. Official Ceremonies: Make a Statement with Cultural Pride Make a lasting impression at official ceremonies, state events, or public celebrations with the sophistication of Hanfu dresses. The graceful silhouettes and exquisite embroidery of these dresses exude elegance and cultural pride. Whether it’s a state ceremony or a significant public gathering, Hanfu dresses allow you to stand out while honoring the importance of the occasion. Fashion Hanfu Traditional Chinese Robe Black Daopao Female Male Weddings: Embrace Tradition on Your…

Chinese ancient clothing culture has a long history, which has left a precious heritage for the world. Han clothing was shaped in the Zhou Dynasty and inherited in the Qin Dynasty. Hanfu, with a long cultural history in China, is worthy of the quintessence of the country. Hanfu is not only a kind of life aesthetics but also the continuation of the lifestyle of countless Chinese people. Primitive Society Period The costumes of primitive society showed obvious cultural characteristics of worshipping heaven and earth and formed a more typical clothing style of cross collar, right lapel, lace-up, upper garment, and lower garment. Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties The clothing of Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties has the distinct characteristics of the combination of practicality and aesthetics and also has distinct characteristics of hierarchy. It has made detailed provisions on the crown dress system of nobles and common people, and the rulers show their dignity by strict grade clothing. Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States Period During the spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States period, each state had its own affairs and different cultural customs, which led to different regional and national costumes with their own characteristics. Moreover,…

Flying fish suit is a kind of traditional costume of Han nationality, which was given by royal guards and eunuchs in Ming Dynasty. In the history of Ming Dynasty, flying fish clothing is a kind of grand dress second only to boa Pao. The difference between them and bullfighting costume is that although the patterns of the clothes are similar to those of the emperor, they are not included in the official clothing system, but they belong to the imperial officials, the royal guards and the Zaifu with special rewards. They are of very high grade. Flying fish clothing is generally made of Luo, yarn, cloud satin and other advanced materials. Most of them have bright red background color (there are purple, green, blue and other colors). It is made of complicated techniques such as makeup flower and gold weaving. In front of the chest are the dragon head and Dragon claw. The dragon body directly around the shoulder, and the dragon tail is behind. Click Here To See Details Flying fish clothing has four claw flying fish pattern, and the flying fish mentioned here is not the kind of marine fish we often see, but a fictional image similar…

This article focuses on the changes in the popularity of traditional Chinese men's clothing from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the early Republic of China. The early Ming dynasty clothing continued the style of the Yuan dynasty, men's clothing in addition to Zhishen (直身), but also have Changshan (长衫) style. At this time the Daopao (道袍) has not yet formed, because the Changshan pleated structure on both sides, inferred that may be the Daopao predecessor. The prototype of the Yisan (曳撒) came from the Yuan Dynasty, and the sleeve shape and silhouette gradually changed in the Ming Dynasty, and developed an outer hem structure, which was one of the common styles of Bianfu (便服)/army clothing or Jifu (吉服) in the Ming Dynasty. The more significant change in the mid-Ming men's clothing is the gradual widening of the sleeve type, the structure of the outer hem is also different from the initial period. Late Ming dynasty men's clothing popular with the Daopao, the initial sleeve type for the bias to straight sleeves, with the structure of the Shoumei (收袂). At the end of the Ming Dynasty, the robe has developed into wide sleeves, and the structure of the inner and…

Tea set and tea-drinking are tightly connected. Many historical records and materials have proved that tea-drinking hasn’t appeared until the turn of Qin Dynasty and Han Dynasty. Chinese tea culture sprouted during the Wei and Jin Dynasties, during which the usages of tea existed in various ways, including food, medication, beverages, and so on. Among all, tea has been mostly taken as a kind of beverage. According to the "Guangling Xiaolao Zhuan", there has already elderly women who sold tea for a living on the markets in the Jin Dynasty. It was quite a competitive business with numerous pedlars as well as customers. From such phenomenon, it can be seen that drinking tea was highly prevalent at that time. At the time under the governance of Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty, Wangbao has written "武阳买茶 (buy tea in Wuyang)" and "烹茶尽具 (cook tea and prepare clean tea sets)" in his book "Tong Yue (僮约)", this is the earliest record of tea drinking and buying in China. In modern times, a celadon urn, carved with the character of "Cha (茶, tea)", with a height of 33.5 centimeters was found in a tomb in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, which was built in…

The lapel, as an essential component of the cheongsam dress, serves as a critical dividing line in the layout of its style, possessing both functional and ornamental purposes. It complements the collar, buttons, or overlapping pieces in a harmonious manner, thus showcasing the overall beauty of the Qipao. The lapel (Jin, 襟), also known as the opening of the garment, is the unfastening of the Qipao's garment. Changes in the lapel are one of the primary way in which the Qipao's style evolves. Today, let us appreciate the modern styles of Qipao's lapels and savor the charm of Eastern women.   Without Lapel One of the most concise ways of opening a cheongsam is the "Without lapel, 无襟, Wu Jin" style. This kind of lapel style is directly derived from traditional Chinese clothing, appearing dignified and traditional.   Pleated & Without Lapel "Pleated without lapel, 褶皱无襟, Zhezhou & Wu Jin" style adds decorative pleats to the front chest, simple yet sophisticated, enhancing the sense of fashion.   Round Lapel "Round lapel, 圆襟, Yuan Jin" is the most common style of modern cheongsam lapel, with smooth lines from the neckline to the armpits. Depending on the size of the arc, it can…

With the revival of traditional culture, traditional Chinese outfits, Hanfu, is also more and more popular. However, there are still many readers who have some confusion about the structure of Hanfu. This article will introduce you to a complete set of structural details of Hanfu. "Hanfu", in general, refers to the traditional costumes of the Han nationality. It does not just refer to the clothing of the Han Dynasty. The traditional costume of the Han nationality can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty. After the development of the Qin Dynasty, it gradually reached maturity in the Han Dynasty. Hanfu contains a complete set of clothing systems, including headwear, clothes, shoes, accessories, etc. 1. Hanfu Headwear (Shoufu, 首服) Shoufu is the headwear, which is an important part of traditional Chinese outfits. We know that the traditional Han people, both men, and women, should have their hair tied. When men and women grow up, they will wind their hair into a bun and put it on their head, and fix it with a hairpin. The main headdress is Mao (hat, 帽), Jin (scarf, 巾), etc. The headwear of adult men is often Guan (crown, 冠) Bian (弁), Futou (幞头), etc. Of…

Our previous articles have covered the costume components of the Song emperors, but today we focus on the composition and details of the Song empress costumes, using the Empress Cao's costume from the Qing Ping Yue TV series as a reference for comparison with museum collections. From the makeup poster of Empress Cao's character, Jiang Shuying, the cast still referenced the costumes in the "Axis of the Seated Portrait of empress Song Renzong (宋仁宗皇后坐像轴)" which is now in the National Palace Museum in Taipei, and perhaps due to the poor detail definition of the phoenix crown in the portrait, the phoenix crown was restored with reference to Liu E's phoenix crown in the similar era of Empress Zhenzong (真宗皇后). It's also worth noting that this empress costumes are of a higher class and therefore more elaborate, so let's start with a brief dissection of what Empress Cao is wearing. "Axis of the Seated Portrait of empress Song Renzong"   Dragon & Phoenix Flower Hairpin Crown In today's context, we are accustomed to referring to the Empress's ceremonial crown as a "phoenix crown" and sometimes the bride's jewelry as a "phoenix crown", but for a long time in ancient China, jewelry…

Today is the second day of the second month of the lunar calendar, a traditional Chinese folk festival: Dragon Headraising Day (龙抬头), since ancient times, people also take the Dragon Headraising Day as a day to pray for wind and rain, to drive away evil spirits and disasters, and to transfer good fortune. The dragon is a divine creature that lives in the sea in Chinese mythology, and is often used to symbolize good fortune. Since ancient times, people in mid-spring "Dragon Headraising Day" to pray for the dragon to eliminate disasters and blessings, wind and rain, harvest. The dragon, initially used as a totem emblem, later evolved into a decorative pattern. It was widely used on royal buildings, flags, and clothing. A list of 13 traditional Chinese dragon patterns that are often found in Hanfu fabrics for you. Zheng Dragon Zhenglong(正龙), also known as "sitting dragon", is characterized by a positive dragon head, a curved dragon body, and a well-distributed four feet (one on four sides). There are also walking dragons patterns with sloping sides. It is generally embroidered on the back of the chest and the end of the sleeves of clothes. If it is used for table surrounds…

Chinese skirts have a long history in China. As we all know, in ancient times, ancestors joined together with leaves or hides to keep out the cold, and became the rudiments of skirts. Chinese Skirts in Pre Qin Period It is said that more than four thousand years ago, the Yellow Emperor established the system of "Shangyi Xiachang (上衣下裳, upper garment, and lower skirt)", stipulating that people of different status wear different colors of clothes. The "Chang" at that time were skirts. Shenyi The statues unearthed in Anyang, Henan Province, are wearing flat hats, collars, skirts, belts, and pointed shoes. It generally reflects the situation of clothing in the Shang Dynasty. In the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, people generally wore Shenyi, and the upper top was connected with the lower skirt. Shenyi is similar to a dress, but it's slightly different. Han Dynasty In the Han Dynasty, skirts spread, with short tops and long skirts. The clothes of the existing terracotta figures of the Han Dynasty and those of Kabuki have such a clear reflection. At that time, the skirts all had folds, which were called "pleated skirts". According to the literature, Zhao Feiyan, the…

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 & Traditional Chinese Dress for Kids Hanfu is becoming more and more popular among young people, and traditional clothing has also attracted more attention. And children have always been cute pronouns, but what kind of surprises will there be for children to wear traditional Chinese clothes. This issue brings traditional Chinese dress for kids, so that they can also wear Chinese clothes and feel the power of traditional culture together. What kind of clothes did children wear in ancient China? It is generally believed that children in the history of China do not have their own clothes, and children have been wearing a reduced version of adult clothes, but in fact, but it's not all that. Ancient Chinese Dress for Kids Qiangbao (襁褓, swaddling) The clothing of newborn babies is more common: Qiangbao. Qiangbao was widely used in ancient China from the court down to the people. According to the literature, Qiangbao as an ancient child care product has been widely used as early as the Shang and Zhou dynasties. The term "Qiangbao" was later used to refer to babies under the age of one year. Doudu (兜肚) Doudu, with naked back when wearing, has the function of heat…

In terms of the cultural and economic development of Chinese feudal society, the Tang Dynasty was undoubtedly an apogee in the development of human civilization. The Tang government not only opened its country to the outside world, allowing foreigners to enter for business or study, but even allowed them to participate in the selection examinations for government officials. It was tolerant, and often appreciative of religions, art and culture of the outside world. Chang'an, the Tang capital, became the center of exchanges between different cultures. It deserves special mention that women of the Tang dynasty did not have to obey traditional dress codes, but were allowed to wear clothing that exposed their arms and chest, or dress with exotic elements. They could also wear riding clothes if they wanted to and enjoyed the freedom to choose their marriage and to divorce. The abundance of materials and a relatively relaxed social environment gave the Tang dynasty an unprecedented opportunity to develop culture, reaching new heights in such fields as poetry, painting, music and dance. Based on the development of the textile industry in the Sui Dynasty, and progress achieved in reeling and dyeing, the variety, quality and quantity of textile materials…

The documentary genre in China, particularly in the realm of traditional culture, continues to produce outstanding works. Today, I would like to introduce a documentary film about porcelain titled "I Am Your Porcelain (我是你的瓷儿, Wo Shi Ni De Ci Er)". It is well known that in English, the term "china" refers to both "porcelain" and "China", highlighting China as the true homeland of porcelain. Centuries before Europe mastered the technique of porcelain production, China was already creating exquisitely crafted porcelain. Chinese porcelain was once a high-end luxury item exported overseas. The documentary "I Am Your Porcelain" not only fills in our knowledge gap about porcelain but also elevates our aesthetic appreciation, allowing modern individuals to experience traditional aesthetics and craftsmanship through the magnificent Chinese porcelain. "I Am Your Porcelain" features narrator Yu Entai, unfolding a thousand-year-old porcelain scroll. Unlike traditional documentaries that tend to be serious and dull, this film adopts a humorous and witty overall style. In Beijing dialect, "Ci Er" means "good friend, buddy", likening porcelain to an friend we interact with daily, a material object embodying Chinese traditional aesthetics and craftsmanship. Seemingly ordinary yet deeply mysterious, emerging from clay and fire yet as lustrous as jade, it…

At various Chinese festive events, the beautiful and elegant Chinese knots often appear as important decorations. As a traditional Chinese handicraft, it originated from knotting for record-keeping and has been widely used in daily life since then. To know more about Chinese knots, one must understand Basic Knots, which are the smallest units that can be combined and varied to create complex knot patterns, and they are the basic knotting method used in making Chinese knot art. Complex variations and combinations of these basic knots can be created through the use of these fundamental knots. This article will primarily focus on the forms and meanings of 12 basic Chinese knots.   Flat Knot The flat knot is an ancient and simple knot that can be made by winding one end of a line around the other line, with the later one being the axle. This knot can also be made with only one line by winding around an object to form a knot. Flat knots, while simple in appearance, are flat and easy to undo, which makes them widely used in daily life. They can be used to tie things together or to make bracelets, hanging chains, and other decorations,…

In the early Tang Dynasty, with the unification of society and the revival of the economy, the Tang Dynasty exhibited a confident and open cultural atmosphere. This spirit was reflected not only in politics and economics but also deeply influenced the clothing and social customs of the time. The Tang Dynasty women’s clothing, in particular, showcased an unprecedented elegance and confidence. Clothing In the early Tang Dynasty, women’s clothing primarily featured slender garments. Narrow-sleeved tops paired with high-waisted long dresses were the mainstream. The high-waisted design of the dresses appeared elegant and dignified. This design not only accentuated the women’s body curves but also added a touch of grace. Makeup The makeup of early Tang Dynasty women was relatively simple, inheriting the style of the previous era, but gradually evolving towards a brighter look. The women’s eyebrow shapes were diverse, ranging from thin willow-leaf eyebrows to bold moth eyebrows, with various styles being popular. Flower ornaments and rouge spots were still favored decorations, these small and delicate facial ornaments not only added charm to their faces but also reflected the sophistication of makeup art at the time. Hairstyles Hairstyles played a significant role in the attire of early Tang Dynasty…

The air-conditioning, cold drinks and ice cream seem to be the standard of modern summer. But in ancient times, how did people spend the long summer? In this article, we will peek at the ancient summer time through a large number of ancient paintings.   Summer Festival July 4 is the sixth day of the sixth month of the lunar calendar, which has been officially designated as Tian Kuang Festival (天贶节) since the Song Dynasty, with the custom of offering sacrifices to ancestors and prohibiting slaughtering. At this time of the year, ancient people would expose grain, clothes and books to the sun to prevent them from getting moldy and being moth-eaten, so the sixth day of the sixth month was also called the Shai Xi Festival (晒洗节). In the Ming and Qing dynasties, people would take their pets to the river to give them a bath, officials would conduct bathing ceremonies for pets owned by the imperial family, such as elephants brought in from other countries. They are often performed during grand celebrations to show the royal majesty. During the Tian Kuang Festival, ancient people also used to store some well water for brewing sauce and vinegar, and for…

We often say that China is a country of etiquette, and when it comes to etiquette, the most direct presentation is clothing. So dress and etiquette are closely related. Hanfu is a traditional Chinese dress, with big sleeves and long hem. It stresses pure nature, shows the national characteristics of soft, quiet, and calm, and embodies the Chinese people’s life realm of peaceful coexistence with nature, keeping aloof from the world, and being generous and benevolent. The elaborate tailoring and exquisite embroidery of Hanfu show the vitality and aesthetics of the Chinese nation. What’s the relationship between Hanfu and Chinese culture? What is the significance of Hanfu to Chinese culture? Let’s talk about Chinese culture in Hanfu. 1. Hanfu is the continuation of Chinese culture From ancient times to the present, the styles of Hanfu are changeable, but the basic results of Hanfu are always the same. The inheritance of Hanfu’s shape and the system is the witness of the continuation of Chinese culture. 2. The plane cutting of Hanfu follows the rules of etiquette and nature Hanfu adopts the plane cutting method and simple clothing outline, which makes people get along with the clothing comfortable and natural without any…

Male models of Hanfu in 2020, which one do you like best, welcome to leave your comments in the comments section. No.1 Ghan No.2 Jiuke No.3 Lucha Bai No.4 Roya No.5 Coser No.6 Qianye No.7 Hechuan No.8 Jumang No.9 Hjing No.10 Ada Which one do you like best, welcome to leave your comments in the comments section.