For thousands of years, the Chinese have used rings to symbolize essential events, births, deaths, weddings, anniversaries, etc. The rings are generally worn by the oldest person present and passed down through generations. While the modern ring represents romantic love and commitment, what are the symbolic meanings of the traditional rings in Chinese history? Let's go into the past life of the ring.   Ancient - The Ring of Bone More than 5,000 years ago, when humankind was still in its primitive society, the "ring" was already born. At that time, it did not have an exact name, but was just a ring-shaped object worn on people's fingers. Neolithic period - bone ring In 1959, archaeologists found twenty traditional rings in the burials of the Dawenkou Longshan culture in Tai'an, Shandong province. Several of them are still worn on the finger bones of the deceased. These rings were made from natural animal bones, tooth bones, jade, etc. Although the process was simple, they were well made, and the surface was polished smooth, and some were inlaid with turquoise. This is the earliest "ring" found in China. It appeared in people's daily lives before records about it in history books.  …

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.…

Moe (抹额), a kind of Chinese traditional clothing accessories, was popular in the Ming Dynasty. Moe tied on the forehead, usually decorated with embroidery or pearl jade. The application of Moe in the ancient army In the Tang Dynasty, Moe often appeared on the warrior's forehead. On the murals of the tomb of Prince Zhang Huai in the Tang Dynasty, there are warriors wearing red Moe. In the written records at that time, the word "Moe" appeared. Li He, a poet in the Tang Dynasty, once wrote a poem describing the drill of the water army: "water splashes on the Moe, flags, and drums will greet the tide at night." In the Five Dynasties, there was a "military Moe" clause. At that time, different colors were used as marks in the military to distinguish different armies. Moe - the mystery of women's beauty In the Song Dynasty, it was more used by women who loved beauty. Women's Moe in Song Dynasty became more exquisite in production. Historical materials also recorded that "ordinary families can't decorate jewelry, clothes, earrings, Moe and so on with pearls". Although women of ordinary status are not allowed to decorate Moe with pearls, their Moe styles…

The Han Dynasty was the longest feudal dynasty in ancient China after the great unification of the Qin Dynasty. More than four hundred years of the Han Dynasty laid a solid foundation for Han, Hanzi, and Han culture. The same is naturally true in traditional Chinese makeup history. Overall, the core ideas that influenced women's aesthetics during the Han Dynasty were the ideas of Taoism and New Confucianism. The former had the greatest impact on the early and mid-Han Dynasty. The policy of "Recover from a Social Upheaval and Restore Production and Develop" was implemented by the rulers in the early Han Dynasty. Taoism's "Huang–Lao political ideology" responded to this social demand. Focused on the development of natural and "Wu Is the Origin ideas", while advocating an open, positive atmosphere, had a profound impact on the aesthetics of female makeup in this period.   01 Han Dynasty Makeup powder Compared with the pre-Qin dynasty, makeup powder in the Han dynasty had a great development. The powder for the face was based on rice powder, and with the rise of alchemy in the Qin and Han dynasties and the improvement of smelting technology in the Han dynasty, lead powder appeared and became…

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…

All the girls know that "the bag can cure all diseases", there is nothing that can't be solved by buying a bag. So, as a Hanfu girl, and what bags can be used to match the different styles of traditional Chinese clothing? Today we will give you a few recommendations of the more common can be paired with the Hanfu bag, and from their price, capacity, practicality, apply to the occasion to introduce each, if you are interested, just read on. Traditional Chinese Clothing Accessories: Chinese Purses Price: traditional purse (100 RMB+), improved purse (20-50 RMB) Practicality: ☆ Traditional purses are not suitable for holding things and are more decorative. The improved purses can hold some small things and can be used as coin purses, but the capacity is still small and can't fit large mobile phones, so the practicality is not high. Traditional Chinese Clothing Accessories: Handbags Price: Varies Practicality: ☆☆ Materials vary and techniques vary. There are leather and cloth styles as well as embroidered and hand-painted types, and the prices also vary. It's mainly used to hold change and cards, and you can't do without such one bag with important documents in your daily life, which is…

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…

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,…

While some cultures might think of December as the month of twinkling lights and festive cheer, for ancient China, it held a different significance. The 21st or 22nd of December marked the Dongzhi Festival, a celebration of the winter solstice, the year's shortest day and longest night. But Dongzhi wasn't just about cozying up by the fire. It was a time steeped in rich history, philosophy, and tradition, a turning point in the natural world and a moment of cosmic balance. A Dance of Yin and Yang: Imagine the universe as a delicate dance between yin and yang, darkness and light, cold and warmth. Ancient Chinese believed the winter solstice marked the peak of yin, with darkness holding sway. Yet, Dongzhi also held the promise of yang's gradual ascendance. Days would slowly lengthen, signifying hope and renewal. This shift resonated deeply, inspiring customs and symbolism throughout the festival. Grand Ceremonies and Family Reunions: Emperors, in elaborate ceremonies, worshipped the heavens and ancestors, seeking blessings for bountiful harvests. Commoners gathered with families, offering sacrifices and sharing meals filled with symbolic significance. Dumplings, resembling the full moon, represented wholeness and family unity. Tangyuan, sweet rice balls symbolizing reunion, were shared in steaming…

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…

Restoration of lychee wine from 1300 years ago, ancient palace traditional cuisine Chinese sweets dragonbeard, non-stick egg pudding, all of these classic Chinese cuisines making are from the Chinese blogger Jiu Yue / Jiang Xun Qian's videos. Cuisine blogger: Jiu Yue / Jiang Xun Qian Not only traditional cuisine, but also Chinese crafts such as paper kites, fish lanterns, and whisking tea are the subjects of her videos, and she is also the initiator of the previously popular sugar painting challenge.   Focusing on traditional cuisine and crafts "A steed that raised red dust won the fair mistress' smiles; how many steeds that brought litchi died on the run!" 1,300 years ago, the Tang Dynasty's Yang Guifei loved lychee wine very much, and it has also made generations of people yearn for it. What is the taste of lychee wine that made Yang Guifei drunk? The blogger Jiang Xun Qian uses traditional techniques to recreate the taste from the Tang Dynasty, she also put on an opera costume and staged the song "Drunkened Concubine". Not only the lychee wine with the flavor of the Tang Dynasty, Jiang Xun Qian was also made fine as hair Chinese sweets dragon beard, and…