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…

Structure and History Horse Face Skirt(马面裙), in the “General History of Chinese Clothing”, the horse face skirt is described as follows: “there are folds on both sides, the skirt door and back are decorated with patterns, and there are skirt waist and lace upon it.” Horse face skirt was very popular in the Ming Dynasty, from empress to ordinary people. However, according to different classes and occasions, the material, pattern, and color of horse face skirts are also different. The horse face skirt in the Ming Dynasty was simple in color and simple in pattern. In the Qing Dynasty, the horse face skirt gradually changed to elegance. The colors and patterns become more and more colorful, especially the outer skirt door. People have added many auspicious patterns on the outer skirt door, such as auspicious eight treasures, flowers, birds, insects, and butterflies. Occasion and Collocation In modern times, horse face skirts can be worn on any occasion, but need to pay attention to the requirements of color, material, and pattern of horse face skirts on different occasions. For example, you can wear a light plain horse face skirt in your daily life, which is convenient for daily action. At the…

The image of Qin Shi Huang as a tyrant has been stuck for over two thousand years. However, in recent years, a discovery of the "Yunmeng Qin Bamboo Slips" in a tomb in Hubei has provided an opportunity for Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who has faced criticism for over two thousand years, to potentially redeem his reputation. In 2015, an archaeological team made a significant discovery in an ancient tomb located in Hubei. They unearthed a collection of two hundred thousand bamboo slips dating back to the Qin Dynasty. These bamboo slips, attributed to a low-ranking official named "Xi," were revealed to contain records of laws and regulations from that era.  Figure 1 - "Xi" Figurine  The recently unearthed Qin Dynasty bamboo slips have provided valuable insights that challenge long-standing perceptions. Among the content, there is a specific passage that documents the military regulations of the Qin Dynasty. This discovery sheds new light on our understanding of the military practices during that time. Figure 2 - Qin Dynasty Bamboo Slips According to the records, the recently discovered Qin Dynasty bamboo slips outline the consequences for being late on duty. If an individual arrives late within three to five days, they would…

The history of Chinese women's make-up is very long. After the rotation of dynasties, the traditional Chinese makeup has changed with the development of the times, reflecting the changes in customs and thoughts in each era. We will prepare a series of articles to introduce traditional Chinese makeup.   Ancient traditional Chinese makeup Throughout the ages, women have different ways and methods to make themselves more beautiful. Compared with the modern, ancient women are more conservative and implicit, but they also have their own set of "secret weapons". As early as in the cultural relics unearthed in the Warring States period, it can be seen from them that at that time, women had the habit of thrushing and use rouge. That is to say, more than 2000 years ago in China, cosmetics had appeared. Of course, ancient China was an agricultural society, always in a state of self-sufficiency, and cosmetics were no exception. At that time, cosmetics were mainly made of pure natural plant and animal oils, and some natural spices were added. The general production process includes boiling, fermentation, filtration, etc. compared with the modern cosmetics production process, it is still relatively simple. Therefore, compared with modern women, ancient…

As the old saying goes, "Men are willing to die for those who appreciate them, and women are willing to makeup for those who appreciate them". From ancient times to the present, women have always been the trendsetters in the pursuit of beauty. From Chinese traditional clothing to Hanfu makeup to various accessories, each item has passed through history and left a strong mark in the history of women's lives, becoming a classic art appreciation. Previous articles on traditional Chinese earrings have already done some telling about women's earrings and their culture from ancient times to the present, but today we're going to talk about the history of another type of ornaments - traditional Chinese hair accessories.   Derivation of the traditional Chinese hair accessories In ancient China, Confucianism was the orthodox idea of the society, emphasizing "ritual". Hair, as part of the body, is considered unclean and rude if it is disheveled. Therefore, men at the age of 15 years need to tie the hair as a bun, women at the age of 15 years need tie hair as a bun and wear Ji (笄), already a kind of "ritual" custom in ancient time. As to when the custom…

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…

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…

If you are a traditional Chinese culture and clothing fan, then the 1987 version of Dream of the Red Chamber is a drama you can’t miss. Although it was a drama 35 years ago, relying on the strong support of the original work and high-quality clothing, makeup and props, it is still the top Chinese costume drama in many people’s minds. A blogger that is introduced to everyone today, she is obviously also a loyal audience of The Dream of Red Mansions. She has successfully imitated several characters in Dream of the Red Chamber and won the love of netizens. She is @Wo Shi Ba Pi Ya (我是扒皮呀). Let's take a look at her interpretation of the characters in Dream of the Red Chamber.   Wang Xifeng Wang Xifeng, one of the heroines in Dream of the Red Chamber. She is beautiful, with a pair of phoenix triangular eyes and two slender and long eyebrows, slim and good-looking. Appearing dressed in colorful embroidery splendor, laughter first gets, like a divine concubine fairy. Because of her beautiful appearance and charming bearing, Jia Rui was fascinated by her. The left picture is the 87th version of "Dream of the Red Chamber" Wang…

Recently, a Dunhuang costume show was grand opening in the desert, giving us an extravagant visual feast. This article will take you to enjoy this beautiful Dunhuang style Chinese costume and teach you to easily match a Dunhuang style.   The Aesthetic Value of the Dunhuang Style Costume Dunhuang is unique in China's cultural context, as its geographic location and traces of religious fusion have allowed it to absorb a more diverse range of cultures. As a result, Dunhuang's architecture, frescoes, and color and costume art have all shone through over thousand years. The Dunhuang style costume is different from the traditional hanfu. In terms of overall style, it is close to a product of the interweaving of Chinese and Western regions cultures, and there is a great deal of religious mythology attached to the costumes. For example, the familiar "Feitian (飞天)", "Bodhisattva leading the way (菩萨引路)", "Rebounding pipa (反弹琵琶)", "Nine colored deer (九色鹿)", etc. If these cultural elements are incorporated into the design of traditional hanfu, it will be a stunning work.   Tips for Wearing Dunhuang Style Costume Choose a classical color scheme with a strong traditional flavor The color scheme in the Dunhuang Grottoes is very recognizable,…

The 2024 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and Global Governance Summit, held in Shanghai from July 4th to 6th, gathered scientists and entrepreneurs from around the world. Together, they envisioned a future where AI advancements foster collaborative governance and innovation across industries. The rapid evolution of AI technologies showcased at the 2024 World Artificial Intelligence Conference highlights not only their technological prowess but also their profound implications for global governance and societal integration. As AI continues to advance, its transformative potential extends beyond industrial applications to encompass broader societal benefits and ethical considerations. Forging New Frontiers in AI The conference showcased remarkable advancements, exemplified by the debut of innovative technologies like the global landmark steel factory from CITIC Tai Fung Special Steel. Here, intricate displays revealed the transparency of blast furnace operations, illustrating efficiency gains such as a 56.6% increase in R&D effectiveness and a 47.3% decrease in defect rates. These advancements underscore how AI-powered insights are revolutionizing industries, enhancing precision and productivity on a global scale. "Two global landmark factories have already been established by CITIC," remarked Zhang Wenwu, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and General Manager of CITIC Group. These AI applications span across 29 manufacturing bases worldwide,…

The ancient historical series "The Long River (天下长河)" released on November 11, 2022, tells the story of the Kangxi Emperor unconditionally promoting Chen Huang (陈潢) and Jin Fu (靳辅) to take control of the flood in Yellow River flooding. After working despite winds and rains, and dealing with countless turmoils from the court for almost half a century, the emperor and the ministers gradually pacified the flood, leaving the future generations a legacy to be praised for the great achievements of the true historical story. The three main actors are Luo Jin, Yin Fang, and Huang Zhizhong. And the six supporting actors are Xi Meijuan, Liang Guanhua, Su Ke, Lu Siyu, Gong Lei, and Zhao Qi, all of them have their own strengths. Every character in the series has distinctive character traits, and each actor's grasp and interpretation of the characters is perfect. The Long River puts emphasis on the interpretation of history and flood management strategies. Unlike most of the costume dramas today, which are dressed like historical stories but with a core of loving stories, the Long River focuses on the flood in the Yellow River and values the tradition of historical dramas, telling the legendary story of…

Have you mesmerized by the makeup of "A Journey to Love"? The beauty level is comparable to the grand award of Huadian in ancient costume dramas. BAZAAR brings you a look at the use of the Huadian in recent Chinese TV dramas and its history. As the chosen one of ancient times, Liu Shi Shi made a graceful appearance with a transcendent snow dance, dressed in a flowing red gown, with a graceful figure. The red of the Huadian between her eyebrows and the white of the snow complemented each other, making her as beautiful as a painting. After entering the palace, she abandoned her fierce killer aura and her presence became gentle and hazy. Her usual elegant attire, paired with the Huadian, exuded a cool and charming aura. The costume and makeup of other characters are also praiseworthy. He Lan Dou, who plays Princess Yang Ying, went from being overlooked to becoming the empress, and the appearance of the Huadian perfectly corresponded to her growth trajectory. Chen Xiao Yun's Huadian makeup in the role of noble consort Chu emanated a pure and captivating charm, making her beauty irresistible. Chen Du Ling, who caused a stir with her appearance, portrayed…

With the rise of ancient Chinese costume "Hanfu culture" among young people, the China-chic has become an unstoppable trend. The September issue of Harper's BAZAAR e-magazine features a stylish restoration of hanfu, and a closer look at these "trendy elements" from a thousand years ago that are still stunning today.   HAN DYNASTY The restored hanfu shot by Harper's BAZAAR During the Han Dynasty, large-sleeved clothes were popular, called "Zhu Yu (诸于)". The characteristic of large-sleeved clothes is the use of the slanting cutting method, which makes the clothes look wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. This set of hanfu designs in "Harper's BAZAAR" uses this typical slanting cutting method, which makes the model look taller and slimmer, so it can be said to be a "slimming secret". During the Han Dynasty, common women wore Ru upper and Qun underneath, which shows that women in the Han Dynasty wore a skirt and a dress as their daily wear. Han Dynasty costumes in the drama The Han Dynasty was a feudal period with a strict hierarchy, which was also reflected in women's clothing, which could be basically divided into two different dress systems for nobles and commoners. Hairstyle…

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…

The Han Chinese attire stands out as a vibrant mosaic of styles, contrasting with the more regimented Manchu dress code. Han Chinese Women of the Qing era embraced a rich variety in their daily clothing, crafting a panorama of styles that celebrated individuality and heritage despite their socio-political background. Everyday Han attire was an elegant blend of comfort and grace. This ensemble typically included a short jacket, skirt, and either a vest or cloak. The small coat featured a sizable right lapel, distinguishing it from the longer robes favored by the Manchu elite. Complementing this were sleeveless vests and long open-sleeved cloaks, encapsulating the everyday charm of Han Chinese femininity. Literary Echoes of Qing Dynasty Fashion The Qing Dynasty's literary works provide a vivid window into the world of Han Chinese fashion. Rich descriptions paint a picture of women adorned in ornate hairstyles and layered outfits of brilliant hues and luxurious fabrics. Gold accessories often featured prominently, highlighting the intricate detailing that defined Han women's daily fashion and underscoring attire's role in expressing identity and social status. Ceremonial Attire of the Qing Dynasty Ceremonial attire during the Qing Dynasty was a grand spectacle, marrying sophistication with tradition. This ensemble, replete with iconic…

Ancient China is called “Huaxia”, with “Hua” referring to the elegance of costume and “Xia” the greatness of etiquette. Following the development through the Zhou, Han, Tang and Song dynasties, the costume in the Ming dynasty had distinct Chinese cultural characteristics and was the epitome of Chinese apparel, which had a wide and profound impact on the costume and aesthetics of later dynasties and neighboring countries.  The Ming Dynasty had fully restored the costume tradition, which had been inherited for thousands of years. Being magnificent and elegant, the Ming costume is the epitome of Chinese costume culture. Ceremonial court dress was usually worn by civil and military officials at formal and grand occasions such as court meetings. It consisted of court hat, red silk robe, white silk gauze shirt, knee-covering，silk belt, leather belt, etc. Normal court dress, well-known to all, was a symbol of the Ming Dynasty costume, for example, the red silk gauze round-collar robe with subtle pattern and square patches embroidered with cloud and crane design, black silk gauze hat and so on. Festive dress was worn by officials on various festive occasions and in some ceremonial activities. The yellowish-brown linen pleated robe with Feiyu design, woman’s…

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…

The ancients were fond of adding floral decoration to the edges and seams of Chinese tunic, making the seemingly plain Beizi, with its lace inlay and surround become rich in variety.Modern techniques such as printing, embroidery, beading and beadwork on the edges of the garment made the Beizi a little more beautiful than in the old days.Let's pick out some beautiful and cost-effective full edge Beizi today! Pomegranate Fruit with All-edge Song-style Beizi The pomegranate is a symbol of good fortune. A pomegranate red dress with pomegranate patterned edges is like a pomegranate with the skin cut open to reveal the berries, which brings out the watery and translucent skin. All-edge Embroidered Floral Beizi in Song-style The silky fabric and light color scheme are perfect for summer. The sky blue papers are decorated with lotus flowers, as if the beautiful scenery of summer is embedded in the details of the Chinese outer jacket. Printed Restoration of the Floral Bunny in Beizi The high definition digital printed bodice on the Chinese tunic will not fade easily and is easy to clean. Restore the flower god rabbit in the coat pattern and choose a matcha green Beizi base for a little freshness…