What is the oriental dress, clothing? Due to the differences in history, culture, and geographical location, the traditional costumes of different countries in the world are not the same. Even in Asia, the oriental dress clothing of different countries is also colorful. On the continent of Asia, each country has its own unique and proud culture. Different states have different characteristics in their clothes, food, residence, and travel. And clothing is one of the things that can best record and show the cultural changes of a country. There are many kinds of traditional asian clothing, including Hanfu, Qipao, Kimono, Hanbok, Sari, Ao Dai, Chut Thai, Tajik clothing, etc. Today, let's learn about some of the most distinctive and representative traditional oriental dress, clothing.   1. Hanfu / Cheongsam China has a long history and its traditional costumes are constantly changing. From the upper and the lower garments system of the Yellow Emperor era, to the crown and uniform system of the Han Dynasty, to the Zhongshan costume of the Republic of China, it is a miniature of China's social environment in different periods. Cheongsam Hanfu: Hanfu is the general designation of "Han traditional costume", also known as Hanyiguan (汉衣冠), Hanzhuang…

In ancient China, the harsh winter cold was often a challenge, especially in regions where winters were long and frigid. However, the ancient Chinese people, with their wisdom and creativity, developed a series of unique and effective methods of keeping warm. These methods not only reflected the progress of ancient Chinese society and technology but also demonstrated their profound understanding of and adaptation to the natural environment. From braziers to fireplaces, from underfloor heating to ingeniously designed clothing, the heating methods of ancient China were the crystallization of wisdom in the face of cold.   01 Fur The most direct way for the human body to keep warm is to dress thickly, and the most natural and effective fabric is animal fur. This is also an indicator we use to determine the changing seasons in historical dramas - whether the main characters are wearing fluffy costumes, indicating that it is cold in the drama. A large number of historical dramas have contributed to the production of various styles of furry costumes. In fact, the winter clothing of ancient people was more exquisite and complete than the costumes in dramas. They would wear warm hats, fur jackets, cloaks, woolen socks, and…

In the Wei, Jin, and North-South Dynasties, when Buddhism was first spread, the flying immortals in the murals were once called Fei Tian (飞天, flying apsaras). With the deep development of Buddhism in China, the Buddhist flying gods and flying immortals merged with each other in artistic images. Dunhuang Fei Tian is the flying apsaras painted in the Dunhuang caves, which later became a special term for Chinese Dunhuang mural art.   01 Origin of flying apsaras In Buddhist culture, the term "Tian" not only refers to celestial abodes but also to the deities within them, such as the "Gongde Tian," which represents auspicious heavenly maidens. Within the heavenly realm, there exists a category of minor deities who flit about and attend to various matters for the apsaras. They possess exceptional singing and dancing abilities, and whenever the Buddha expounds upon his teachings, they soar through the air in graceful dances while playing music and scattering flowers. This imagery actually originated from two minor deities in Brahmanism - Gandharvas and Apsaras. The former is associated with music while the latter embodies dance. The early translators aptly rendered these minor deities as "Fei Tian," denoting their ethereal nature of soaring through…

Novoland: Pearl Eclipse (斛珠夫人), the hottest Chinese drama at the end of 2021, once again proves that Chinese Xianxia dramas still have solid fundamentals in the drama market. This drama is a new way to open up fantasy drama with its extreme refinement in many aspects such as emotional arrangement, female characterization, and delicate deconstruction of traditional culture.   The Ultimate Beauty of Emotional Lines Drama is the art of narrative, and how to tell a good story has always been a difficult task in the creation of dramas. Under this, Novoland: Pearl Eclipse continues to work carefully on the expression of connotation and emotional arrangement, giving this drama a unique quality and extraordinary significance. The story of Novoland: Pearl Eclipse is well laid out and clearly structured, and the three emotional lines are intertwined and complement each other, so that the expression space and aesthetic tension of the drama are fully extended in the narrative. Fang Hai Shi and Fang Zhu In the drama, all three couples are heart-wrenching. Fang Hai Shi and Fang Zhu have experienced many life-and-death situations and have become attached to each other, but Fang Zhu is unable to respond to Hai Shi's love because…

For centuries, the cheongsam has been a symbol of elegance, femininity, and Chinese culture. Also known as qipao, this form-fitting dress has been worn by women in China and beyond, captivating the world with its stunning beauty and timeless charm. While the cheongsam is now a fixture on fashion runways and red carpets around the world, its origins and evolution tell a captivating story of cultural exchange, fashion innovation, and societal change. From its early beginnings in the Qing Dynasty to its modern-day reinventions, the history of the cheongsam is one of the most fascinating and enduring tales of fashion history. In this article, Hibetterme explores the rich history of the cheongsam, the characteristics of modified cheongsam, and how to pick the right style of cheongsam for you.   The Evolution of cheongsam The origin of the cheongsam is actually quite controversial. Some scholars believe that it is the robe of the Qing Dynasty, and in the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China, it gradually evolved into the current cheongsam due to social changes and the influence of Western culture. Left: Qing Dynasty aristocrats in Qi style dress; Right: Wanrong, the last empress of the Qing Dynasty,…

Recently, the Hunan Museum unveiled a 3D digital avatar of Lady Xin Zhui, captivating enthusiasts of traditional Chinese attire. This legendary figure has always sparked endless discussions. Currently on display at the Hunan Museum’s “Women of the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire” exhibition is a 48-gram Quju robe that has never been exhibited before, adding a touch of legendary charm. Let’s journey back to the summer of 1972. Lady Xin Zhui, the wife of Li Cang, the first Marquis of Changsha from the early Western Han Dynasty, was unearthed from the Mawangdui Han tombs in Changsha, Hunan. Upon excavation, Xin Zhui’s face was well-preserved, and she was dressed in intricately decorated silk garments, exuding an aura of grace and nobility. However, due to prolonged submersion in the waterlogged tomb, the silk fabrics wrapping her body had fused together. After much discussion, the archaeological team decided to follow the advice of Hunan Provincial Museum’s then-deputy director Hou Liang. They inserted a large wooden board into the side of the wooden coffin, then slowly tilted the coffin towards the board until it was completely flat, allowing them to transfer Xin Zhui onto the board. This method enabled the safe extraction of…

Once again, the annual summer season has arrived, and multiple top-tier S+ drama projects are being released. The competition among these prominent historical costume dramas is intense, as they strive to break viewership records. On one hand, there's the attention-grabbing cast of "Destined" that has sparked discussions; on the other hand, "The Longest Promise" makes a sudden appearance in an attempt to capture audience interest and attention. Amidst this fierce battle between major productions, a low-budget self-produced drama called "An Ancient Love Song" manages to carve out its own space in the realm of public discourse. Upon exploring the series synopsis, it becomes clear that it neither relies on conventional online literature adaptations nor boasts renowned actors; however, it surprisingly gains audience traction during this highly competitive summer season. Distinct from grandiose productions vying for attention through lavish displays, "An Ancient Love Song" primarily relies on passionate recommendations from its audience.   A Nonconventional Time-Travel Drama In terms of genre,"An Ancient Love Song" falls into the category of time-travel dramas wherein a modern-day male protagonist encounters an ancient "demonic queen," leading to a captivating love story. Notably innovative within this time-travel framework is its utilization of dual reverse chronological travel.…

In the realm of captivating television dramas, "Longing Heart Season 2" emerges as a beacon of storytelling prowess and artistic depth. Recently announced to premiere exclusively on Jiangsu TV's Happiness Theater platform starting July 8th, the series is poised to continue its spellbinding narrative journey that began with its acclaimed first season. Adapted from Tong Hua's novel of the same name, "Longing Heart" transports viewers to a period of tripartite rivalry among the kingdoms of Xi Yan, Hao Ling, and Chen Rong. At its heart is the protagonist Wang Ji, also known as "Xiao Yao," who endures a century of tumultuous trials only to find solace in the tranquil town of Qingshui, where she becomes known as Wen Xiaoliu. Xiao Yao's cousin, Wang Sunjuan, traverses the vast wilderness in search of her, while Xiaoliu unwittingly saves the life of Tu Shanjing, a noble scion of Qing Qiu, forging a bond that blossoms into romance amid their daily interactions. Later, Xiaoliu becomes acquainted with Xiang Liu through a series of serendipitous encounters, eventually forming a deep bond of camaraderie. The path to reunion with Sunjuan proves fraught with challenges and twists before their eventual recognition. When "Longing Heart Season 1" aired…

"Joy of Life" stands as a representative work in the adaptation of online novel works, and with its performance over two seasons, it is poised to become the most successful TV series adapted from an online novel, provided the third season maintains its quality. The second season builds on and diverges from the first, with the latter emphasizing entertainment and playfulness, while the former embeds a stronger sense of serious drama and critical commentary. This season continues with episodic storytelling, resembling a transformed road movie with its myriad plot threads and diverse characters. To simplify the discussion, let's focus on the characters and their roles in the series.   Scrutinizing Imperial Power One memorable character is Lai Mingcheng (played by Bi Yanjun), the Censorate official whose brief appearance leaves a lasting impact. As a Censorate official, he has the authority to report on any official misconduct and to supervise all officials. Throughout history, Censorate officials have been known for their fearless criticisms of powerful ministers and even the emperor. They enjoy greater freedom of speech and immunity than other officials, and wise emperors are wary of being accused of silencing critics. Some Censorate officials treat their position as a regular…

If we were to identify some highlights in the 2023 Chinese film market, undoubtedly, the summer release of "Chang An" shone brightly among them. Following the success of the blockbuster "Chang An," the next eagerly anticipated work from Light Chaser Animation Studios is the third installment of the Bai She (White Snake) series, titled "Bai She 3: Fusheng." The film has already locked in the Qixi Festival (August 10, 2024) slot six months in advance. When it comes to the realm of adult-oriented animated films, Light Chaser stands alone as the only series to persist into its third installment, there is no doubt that "Bai She 3: Fusheng" is highly anticipated. Meticulously considered release date After undergoing the trials of the first two installments, the White Snake series from Light Chaser Animation Studios has firmly established its presence. Not only has it achieved excellent market performance, but it has also become a representative work of contemporary Eastern aesthetics. After a three-year hiatus, the third installment of the series has finally surfaced and become the first film this year to secure the coveted summer and Qixi Festival slots. The audacity to seize the prime time slot six months in advance speaks…

Youku's pending fantasy drama "Till The End of The Moon" returns to the online game style and moves towards a new design direction. Not wanting the confusion of costume shapes in period-specific costume dramas, these dramas that pursue traditional Chinese costume forms such as "The Longest Day In Chang'an" and "Royal Feast" were also well received by the audience. In the newly launched drama projects, even the emotional-based ancient costume idol dramas, have begun to try their best to choose a style in line with today's hanfu culture in the design of clothing. Till The End of The Moon Looking back on Chinese ancient costume dramas, in addition to the antique classic stylings in the audience's impression, such as "Journey to the West" and "Dream of the Red Chamber", there are also some pioneering, trendy, and bold ancient costume styles time. The stylings design of ancient costume dramas has great styles and aesthetic differences due to different themes and story backgrounds. This article will review the styling history of Chinese costume dramas from the two types of fairy chivalrous and realistic retro, combined with hairstyle, hair accessories, and clothing. Till The End of The Moon   01 Evolution of Xianxia hairstyle…

Have you ever heard of that trivia tidbit where it's like "the Chinese were so impressed by Kung Fu Panda that they held meetings to figure out why they couldn't produce something as good as it with their own culture"? Well, it's true. That did happen. And the answer is probably a combination of a lack of financial and cultural support for artists, government censorship of storytelling, and animation not being taken seriously as an artform. But what did Kung Fu Panda do that was so right? What influences did it take from Chinese culture? I'm gonna try and figure that out. I'll talk about my opinion on whether it matters that this movie was made by white people when Chinese audiences liked it so much. So let's start! Wuxia Jianghu Dream To begin with, these mountains in the opening immediately reminded me of Huangshan, or the Yellow Mountains. It's a pretty famous mountain range in China with a lot of these jagged stony peaks and clouds surrounding them. The Kung Fu Panda artbook confirms that the Valley of Peace is inspired by the Yellow Mountains and the Li River Valley, another place famous for being really, really pretty. And…

One of the questions or requests that I get most often lately is to write a video about why The Untamed cast is so popular. The Untamed is a 2019 fantasy Chinese costume drama starring Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo. It is based on the famous BL novel or Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation. The drama ran from June 27th to August 20th and I believe it's safe to say that it's one of the biggest if not the biggest hit of the year. So I will start by getting into some of the cast and characters and then I'll talk about the synopsis and then why it's so popular. 1. The Untamed Characters Xiao Zhan plays Wei Wuxian, a disciple of the Jiang sect. He wields the Suibian sword and Chenqing flute, and his specialty is demonic cultivation and the invention of new spiritual techniques. Wang Yibo plays Lan Wangji of the Gusu Lan sect. He wields the Bichen sword and the Wangji zither. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji regard each other as soul mates. Zoey Meng plays Wen Qing, a doctor who belongs to the healing branch of the Wen sect. She is aloof but kind and is protective…