I have received a lot of PMs recently, all of them asking me the same question. Do you know or like Li Ziqi or not? Do you think that she can be counted as a sort of Chinese culture export? Of course, before that, I have thought about this for a long time. I started to perceive Li Ziqi from 2017. So I think I have my own perspective of what she's doing, and it's worth sharing. On-screen, Li Ziqi’s life seems to defy the rules of reality. With more than 60 million fans worldwide, the Chinese internet celebrity is famous for her videos, where she performs the work of a farmer with the grace of a fairy. In one video, she picks flowers on horseback in a red cape, invoking the image of Red Riding Hood. In another, she builds an item of bamboo furniture set using traditional Chinese techniques. Li Ziqi rode on a horse Actually, I remember that back in the summer of 2017, she had a lot of haters who were doubting the real intention behind her videos. And then she put out an article that explains how many of the materials she does herself and how much hard work she puts in it…

Every hot summer, many girls will feel that Song-style Hanfu is the first choice for this season, indeed, with the cool and soothing touch of skin, many people will be willing to choose Song-style Hanfu to spend the summer. In fact, in addition to the Song-style Hanfu, the Ming-style Hanfu is also a kind of "Summer Hanfu"! Even in the summer heat, Ming-style Hanfu can still "make a splash"!   The difference between Ming-style Hanfu and Song-style Hanfu Song-style Hanfu: Song Hanfu is the most suitable Hanfu for summer because it is the most simple Hanfu. Due to the background of the Song Dynasty, Song Hanfu are mainly slim and long, with narrow sleeves and cross collars. The "Beizi" and "Song trousers" are the main styles of Hanfu in the Song system. Ming-style Hanfu: In the beginning, the Ming Hanfu has always been regarded as a noblewoman's Hanfu, and because the Ming Hanfu is mostly based on horse-faced skirts, its craft is complicated plus the fabric and silk are expensive, so the price of Ming Hanfu has always been high. The "long jacket" and "short jacket" plus the "horse-faced skirt" also became the main style of Hanfu in the Ming…

Which emperor paid the most attention to clothing in ancient Chinese history? Then Zhu Yuanzhang, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, must be on the list. After the founding of the state, Zhu Yuanzhang issued an edict on the restoration of the ancient clothes and crowns, which is about the restoration of the clothes and crowns in the Tang system and the old Chinese. And he personally participated in the improvement of the clothing system. During Zhu Yuanzhang's 31 years in office, the clothing system has been revised and supplemented many times. The clothing system is detailed in terms of fabric, style, size and color. And it regulates the clothing of people of various statuses and identities throughout the country. What's more, its implementation was guaranteed by state coercion. To be arrested for wearing the wrong clothes? This is not a joke at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang The top-down imperial ban cannot prohibit the awakening of the people's own consciousness and the pursuit of beauty. After the middle of the Ming Dynasty, clothing became more and more luxurious, the official clothing ban was useless, and the art of clothing has shown a prosperous scene of promoting…

If you often watch Chinese historical dramas, certainly have an impression of the ancient Chinese official hats, especially the Wu Sha Mao, people are still accustomed to the "Wu Sha Mao" as a symbol of the official, "lost the Wu Sha Mao" means be dismissed from office. Today to introduce the history and characteristics of the Wu Sha Mao and other periods in the history of the Chinese official hats. Wu Sha Mao (乌纱帽, black gauze cap) is an ancient official hat, the original is a common civilian cap, the official wear Wu Sha Mao originated in the East Jin Dynasty, but as a component of the official uniform, began in the Sui dynasty, flourished in the Tang dynasty, to the Song dynasty, plus the "double wing", after the Ming dynasty, Wu Sha Mao only formally become a synonym for officials.   The origin and shape of the Wu Sha Mao Wu Sha Mao is evolved from the Futou (幞头) in Sui and Tang Dynasty, and it is also directly called "Zhe Shang Jin (折上巾)" in the official literature of Song Dynasty. The Futou was originally a black square fabric with four corners, and after covering the top of the…

We often see in Chinese TV dramas or movies scenes of the emperor and his ministers discussing political affairs together (called Shangchao, 上朝), with the ministers standing or kneeling opposite the emperor in order of rank, dressed in tidy clothes (Chaofu). So, what is so special about the ministers' clothing? And are the different eras of Chaofu the same? What is the Chaofu? Name: Chaofu (朝服, cháo fú) Alias: Jufu (具服) Function: used at major ceremonies Succession and change: from Zhou to Ming dynasties Before the Zhou Dynasty, Chinese clothing was mainly made in one form, the upper Yi (衣) and the lower Chang (裳) system. The Book of Rites - Yuzao (礼记·玉藻, a chapter describing the ritual) recorded that "Chao Xuanduan (玄端), Xi Shenyi (深衣)", meaning that ministers were required to wear Xuanduan in the morning to attend the Shangchao, while worn Shenyi at home in the evening. The style and development of Chaofu in different dynasties The earliest Chaofu - Pibian Fu Judging from the literature, there were Chaofu as early as in the Zhou Dynasty. The first Chaofu was the Pibian Fu (皮弁服, pí biàn fú), which was made of fine white cloth, and the Yi and…

The "Jiaoling Youren (交领右衽, cross-collar-and-right-wrapped, the left lapel covers the right lapel when wearing)" based on flat cutting is a typical collar that has been passed down in the Chinese civilization for thousands of years. It fully embodies the diverse and integrated pattern since ancient times, carries Chinese common cultural connotation as a nation, and is a symbol of the spiritual essence extracted from the long history of Chinese civilization. Chinese traditional costumes are profound and have a long history, Jiaoling Youren is like main threads linking thousands of years' of flowery clouds together to inherit continuously with boundless beauty. The character "衣 (clothing)" already existed in oracle bone script which reveals its structural feature: two lapels overlap each other forming into textual symbols.   01 What is Jiaoling Youren One of the most prominent features of Hanfu is the collar design that crosses left over right to form a "Y" shape known as the Jiaoling Youren style. This collar design has more than 5,000 years of history since Zhou Dynasty. Even though Hanfu keeps innovating with different styles such as straight collars, tank tops, and stand-up collars, the cross-collared Hanfu still maintains its mainstream position among these styles.  …

The traditional Chinese long dress is the symbol of Chinese nationality. Nowadays, we can see many kinds of China's style dresses with admirable textiles and delicate embroidery all around the world. Actually, traditional European costume has similar dress patterns and a corset has been used to emphasize women’s bodyline. Both western and eastern outfits show the approach to how people and society perceive on dress and women. As we know, each region's traditional costume is not only the dress to decorate on women’s body, but also to express the identity of their life and culture. traditional Chinese hanfu dress Browse the list of beautiful Chinese dress styles and find the one you love the most to add just a touch of luxury and fun to your every day. And hope you like it. Best 4 Chinese Long Dress in History We should know that China has a long history. In fact, there are more than hundreds of styles of clothing in all periods, but don't worry, we will pick out the most popular dress styles for you. 1. Shenyi The shenyi is a traditional Chinese dress literally "cover the whole body," which is the classic garment for both males and…

In Chinese films and television, the martial arts genre has always been a powerful presence. The exciting and thrilling martial arts scenes and plot conflicts filled with tension are loved by audiences. In the 1980s and 1990s, it can be said that it was the golden age of martial arts dramas, and the shadows of swords and knives and the stories of seeking revenge for past grievances became the memories of a generation on the screen. Around 2015, costume idols and Xianxia were popular for a while. In recent years, under the downward trend of the costume drama market, the output of martial arts dramas has also sharply declined, and the martial arts world has become somewhat quiet. At the end of last year, the online release of "Sword Snow Stride" triggered a heated discussion, once again arousing the audience's dream of the martial arts world. With the hot-blooded premiere of the costume martial arts drama "Pledge of Allegiance" this year, the martial arts genre may be making a comeback.   1 New Martial Arts Drama Unveils New Core Martial arts dramas have a strong audience base. With the rising popularity of new martial arts novelists such as Jin Yong,…

Recently, the popular broadcast of "The Journey of Chong Zi" and "The Starry Love" has won the attention of most audiences who particularly love Xianxia TV shows. Ever since these two shows are on, the heated discussion on the pattern and anti-pattern of Xianxia dramas has not been rested. The traditional romance between master and disciple in "The Journey of Chong Zi" continues to enjoy the love of its fans, while the humor in "The Starry Love" offers a great experience for those who prefer novelty. However, some audience is not satisfied with these, believing that Xianxia dramas need innovation nowadays.   The Iteration of Xianxia Drama Xianxia indicates two themes: Xian and Xia. Xian (仙, fairy) originated from the myth while Xia (侠, hero) comes from the martial arts classic. The early mythological dramas including "The Legend of the White Snake" (1992), "The Ghost Tales" (1998), "The Beauty Mermaid World Legend" (2000), and "Gods of Honour" (2001) were mainly based on Chinese folk legends or novels. The concepts of divines, devils, monsters, and treasures, along with the settings of human-demon romance, the confrontation between gods and devils, and reincarnation have all originated from legends and novels, and were put…

January Flower Plum Blossom The plum blossom, also known as the flower of January, holds a significant place in Chinese culture. It symbolizes strength, nobility, and modesty, making it one of the most revered flowers in Chinese art and literature. The beauty of the plum blossom lies in the fact that it blooms in the harshest of winter conditions. Its resilience and perseverance have made it a symbol of courage and strength. The flower is also known as the flower of Five Blessings, as its five petals represent happiness, wealth, longevity, peace, and success. The use of plum blossoms in Chinese culture dates back more than 3,200 years. Initially, it was used for flavoring food and as a sacrificial offering. Later, it became an essential ingredient in cosmetics, herbal medicine, and as an ornamental flower. During the Tang and Song dynasties, the beauty and virtues of the plum blossom gained the admiration of scholars and artists. They developed a whole ornamental theory around the flower, appreciating its place, time, shape, and activities. Plum blossom, together with orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, formed the “Four Gentlemen” or “Four Noble Ones” in Chinese art, with each flower representing different virtues and highly valued…

Ancient Chinese Costume Culture ExhibitionLaunch date: February 6, 2021Venue: North 18 Exhibition Hall, National Museum of China (Beijing) Clothing is not only a necessity for people's life, with the practical function of "sheltering from the cold and heat, protecting from the wind and rain, covering the body", but also an important carrier of ancient culture, with the cultural function of "distinguishing between superiority and inferiority, distinguishing between nobility and inferiority, and distinguishing between affinity and alienation". The development of Chinese clothing culture over the past thousands of years not only reflects the development trajectory of ancient material and spiritual civilization, but also outlines the continuous life of the Chinese people. On February 6, 2021, the "Ancient Chinese Costume Culture Exhibition" was officially opened at the National Museum of China. The exhibition is based on decades of academic research by Mr. Sun Ji and other scholars, divided into six sections according to historical periods, the exhibition features nearly 130 artifacts (sets) covering jade and stone, bone, pottery, costumes, gold and silver accessories, and calligraphy and paintings, with more than 40 auxiliary exhibits, about 170 pictures, and multimedia facilities, making it an extraordinary exhibition. If you are interested in ancient Chinese costumes,…

History Background In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang has crowned emperor. His regime was established with the name of Hongwu and the whole dynasty was named Ming. In the 14th year of Hongwu, the remaining forces of the Yuan dynasty in Yunnan were pacified and ancient China was finally reunified again. Zhu Yuanzhang abandoned the costume system established in the Yuan Dynasty and adopted the system of the Han and Tang dynasties and tried his best to restore the various rituals of the Han people. From the beginning of the Ming Dynasty to the reign of the second emperor Chengzu, the Ming Dynasty had been quite prosperous, and after Chengzu, Emperor Xuanzong and Emperor Yingzong were still able to maintain prosperity. But since then, due to the eunuchs' disorderly administration and the invasion of pirates, the country had been on the way of declining. In 1644, Wu Sangui opened the Shanhai Pass and led the Qing troops into Beijing to fight against Li Zicheng. And after that the Qing troops entered the Central Plains. The Ming dynasty lasted 227 years from the beginning of the Ming dynasty to the death of Emperor Chongzhen who hanged himself.   Ming Dynasty Makeup Features During…