In 1904, the construction of the Bianluo Railway began. As a part of the later Longhai Railway, this transportation line passed through Mangshan to the north of Luoyang city, an ideal place for emperors, officials and civilians to choose their burial grounds since at least the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. The construction of modern railways undoubtedly broke the peace of another world, but it also allowed underground treasures to see daylight again. Among many damaged Tang tombs, a type of color-glazed ceramic funerary object that had never been seen before by people drew attention from antiquarians; this is "Tang Sancai". Since then, people have been indulging in the gorgeous and lustrous colors of Tang Sancai as if all the grandeur and majesty of Tang Dynasty were condensed into such an object. It was an era completely different from that during Qing Dynasty; gazing upon and playing with Tang Sancai might help one temporarily withdraw from chaotic times and dream peacefully in a book room filled with sandalwood aroma.   The Legacy of the Tang Dynasty In fact, although they are called Tang Sancai, there is no record of such object names in historical documents. The name "Tang Sancai (唐三彩, Tang Tri-color…

Diji and Tiaopai are two magnificent pieces of traditional Chinese hair jewelry, often paired with Ming-style Hanfu. The Ming dynasty was one of the most commercialized periods in ancient Chinese history, particularly in the Jiangnan region. From the point of view of hair jewelry, the most significant change shown in gold and silver jewelry during the Ming dynasty, compared to the Song and Yuan dynasties, was an increase in the number of types and styles, and a more detailed distinction in names. Various types of traditional Chinese hair jewelry, have different names, depending on where they are worn, or on their decoration, style, and even their length. Today we will focus on the Diji and Tiaopai. Diji (䯼髻, dí jì) [History and structure] Diji is a new type of wig bun that appeared in the Ming Dynasty, generally made of gold and silver wire or horsehair, and hair, covered with soap-colored yarn and worn over the top bun. The appearance of the Diji was influenced on the one hand by the wearing of Guan by women from the Northern Song Dynasty onwards, and on the other by the popularity of the 'Baoji (包髻)' hairstyle during the Jin and Yuan Dynasties.…

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.  …

We have previously detailed a few ancient Chinese robes from the Ming Dynasty (Zhiduo/Taoist/Zhishen), most of which are suitable for scholars, but today we will introduce you to 2 more martial styles ancient Chinese robes for men: Tieli & Yisan. You may often find these two classic Chinese costumes at Hanfu festivals or events, they are very eye-catching and handsome. Tieli (贴里) [History and characteristics of Tieli] Tieli is usually worn under a round-necked robe and Dahu (褡护, a type of clothing that belongs to the Banbi), which makes the wide hem of the robe slightly outward and dignified. Tieli is the Mongolian word for the robe and is an import from the Yuan Dynasty. After being inherited by the Ming Dynasty, the garment was lengthened, and the overall structure closer to Shenyi system of the Hanfu, and integrated the Han "orthodox" rituals, and later became the most common ancient Chinese robes, and is a common style of the Ming Dynasty officials (up to the Feiyu suit, down to military uniforms). narrow sleeve Tieli, in the collection of the Shandong Museum of Art Features of the Tieli include: Jiaolingyouren (交领右衽), the front and back of the garment are cut separates…

China has a splendid costume history, but the splendor of the ancients has gone with the years, and we can only recall it through historical records and archaeological discoveries. Fortunately, there is someone who can use his exquisite painting skills to rigorously and meticulously restore the ancient Chinese clothing and trace the history of the delicate and gorgeous. Today, we are going to share with you the ancient Chinese clothing timeline and experience the charm of Chinese clothing together.   Shang Dynasty (c. 16th-11th century BC) Features: The main feature of the Shang dynasty dress is "upper garment, lower Chang (裳), Youren (右衽), hair bunch". The upper half of the body wears clothes, the lower half of the body wears Chang, Chang is the skirt. Noble men's dress (left): The head wears the tall Ge(葛) cloth crown. The Yue-shaped cloth hanging from the front abdomen was a sign of noble status, and was often referred to in later literature as the "Bixi (蔽膝)". The pattern on it is based on the Leiwen depicted on the Shang dynasty Yuge in the collection of the Palace Museum. The boots worn by the feet are painted on the basis of pottery boots excavated from…

Kesi (缂丝), the most traditional type of silk weaving in the Chinese silk industry, which is highly appreciated for its decorative qualities. Kesi is a kind of pattern with warp and weft, forming a pattern border, with the effect as if was carved, and rich two-sided three-dimensional sense of silk crafts. The knitting technique of Kesi is different from the embroidery and brocade. Suzhou Kesi painting is also known as the "Four Great Weavers" of China, along with Hangzhou silk painting, Yongchun paper painting and Sichuan bamboo curtain painting. The Kesi technique has appeared many times in the collection of ancient costume dramas, such as the delicate Kesi fans in the hands of the concubines of “Story of Yanxi Palace”, adding endless style to them. The another drama “Marvelous Women” which take the Qing Dynasty as the background, has restored the weaving scene of the Kesi.   The Uniqueness of Kesi Different from the weaving method of Song brocade, Shu brocade, cloud brocade which are woven through the warp and weft. Kesi with raw silk as the warp, a variety of colorful cooked silk threads for the weft, which are dug and woven by the method of passing through the…

The Qingming Festival is coming up soon! Learn more about where this holiday came from and some things that you can do to participate in celebrating it, both in the way of the ancients and the way that people do now. As the weather warms up bit by bit, the next important Chinese holiday, the Qingming Festival (清明節 qing ming jie), is drawing closer as well! Also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day or Clear Brightness Day (direct translation of the words that make up its Chinese name), it’s usually celebrated in the first few days of April of the Gregorian calendar—in 2022, it’ll be on April 5th. But where did this festival come from, and how has its related traditions evolved over time? And what are some different ways that you participate in celebrating it as a hanfu and ancient chinese culture enthusiast? Let’s address these questions one by one.   How did the Qingming Festival begin? Originally, the Qingming Festival wasn’t called 清明節 at all. It was called the Hánshí Jié(寒食節), the Cold Food Festival, and had a very rich backstory to it. During the Spring and Autumn period of the Zhou Dynasty, in the Jin State (晉), a prince…

In the annals of Chinese history, the Qing Dynasty stands as the final imperial dynasty, ruled by the Manchu ethnic group from 1644 to 1912. Emerging from the northeastern regions between the White Mountains and Black Water, the Manchu people forged a remarkable dynasty that left an indelible mark on Chinese culture and society for nearly three centuries. The roots of the Manchu people trace back to the ancient Jurchen tribes who inhabited the northeastern territories over two millennia ago. Evolving through centuries of interaction and assimilation, they eventually formed distinct identities such as the Jianzhou Jurchens and later, the Manchus. Their cultural evolution was profoundly influenced by interactions with neighboring civilizations, particularly the Han Chinese, leading to the adoption and adaptation of various political, economic, and cultural systems. Central to Manchu identity were their unique customs and traditions, manifesting prominently in their daily lives, attire, and architecture. One of the most iconic features was the traditional male hairstyle known as "Shaving the Front and Braiding the Back." This practice symbolized allegiance to Manchu traditions and was mandatory for men across all societal strata during the Qing Dynasty. Similarly, women adhered to modest dress codes, notably seen in the elegant…

What is Da Hu? Da Hu(褡护, dā hù), also known as "搭护", which was a type of Bianfu(便服, casual wear) in the Ming Dynasty. The Tong Ya says: "Da Hu is a shirt with bald sleeves", which means sleeveless, indicating that the Da Hu was a long garment with short sleeves or no sleeves, and had a certain origin with the Banbi of the Tang and Song dynasties. The "Juyi Record" records that: "The name of the Da Hu, or along with the Yuan dynasty, its style is not the Yuan dynasty Da Hu, when it is a slightly longer than the Gua (褂), a short-sleeved clothes." The basic form of Da Hu is cross collar, wrapping the right side before the left (交领右衽), with white collar protector, short sleeves or no sleeves, slit on both sides of the body, and the slit is connected with the outer or inner hem. In the Ming Dynasty, the Da Hu was a kind of half-sleeved dress with a hem outside, which was part of the dres's system of Ming officials. How to wear the Da Hu? What to wear inside the Da Hu? Da Hu early is often used as a jacket,…

Have you ever noticed the motifs on a hanfu? They are diverse and can even be considered the finishing touch to a hanfu. Maybe it is some kind of animal from ancient times or different kinds of plants to match. Most of them have a special meaning, and some fantastical motifs even contain mythological stories.   Animal Motifs Qilin Motifs Although the production environment of the ancients was much less than the modern society, the ancients never skimped on their imagination when it came to creating sacred animals. For example, the Qilin (麒麟). With a dragon head, deer antlers, cow hooves, and lion's tail, the Qilin changed several times before the Tang Dynasty and had no fixed appearance. In the Song Dynasty, the body became a common lion-shaped scaly body, basically into the current form. In "Fantastic Beasts 3: The Mystery of Dumbledore", the Qilin appears as a new fantastic beast. This is the second Chinese mythical creature launched in the "Fantastic Beasts" series, Zouwu from the "Shan Hai Jing" appeared in "Fantastic Beasts 2: The Crimes of Grindelwald". Qilin is a symbol of auspiciousness and has a very high status in ancient times, and has been assigned with simple…

Today is the Lantern Festival, the first full moon night of the year in the Chinese Lunar New Year. In the Chinese lunar calendar, the first month of the year is called the month of Yuan (元), and the ancient people called the night Xiao (宵), so it is called the Yuan Xiao (元宵, Lantern Festival), also known as Shang Yuan (上元) and Yuan Xi (元夕). On this night, all activities revolve around lantern. As a specific festival, the Lantern Festival was shaped in Sui, and from Tang to Qing Dynasty, it was continuously grand, gradually forming a festival custom with lanterns as the core. How did people spend the Lantern Festival in the past? Follow The Palace Museum to check out the Lantern Festival customs that inherited for thousands of years.   Rich Traditional Lantern Types Both daily or festival, from the palace to the folk, the ancient people used a wide range of lantern styles, characters, flowers, birds, fish, insects, and so on. The exquisite and chic appearance of the lanterns gives good meaning. During the Lantern Festival, there are some specific categories of lanterns. For example, the Qingcheng lantern is a custom-made palace lantern in the Forbidden…

Hanfu, as the traditional clothing of China, appeared as early as 5000 years ago in the Huaxia period. And until the Han Dynasty, uniform dress standards were established, and Han Fu clothing officially became the basic style clothing for the ancient Chinese people. The Han Dynasty clothing developed rapidly in this period and had a great influence on the history of Chinese dress. Each China's dynasty has its own memorable culture. Han dynasty, for the first time, costume design and color use have become unified, making traditional Chinese clothing an extremely important part of Chinese culture and a great work of art. Actually, throughout China's history, clothing style experienced a notable changing from ancient times to the modern era. Spanning over four centuries, the Han period is considered a golden age in Chinese history. The Han dynasty is a long history, but the Han dynasty clothing retained its simple and elegant style. So, let's through this short article to explore that fascinating history.   A Brief History of Han Dynasty Clothing The Han dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin dynasty (221–206 BC) and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 AD). To this day,…

In the ever-evolving landscape of television dramas, few things spark as much debate and disappointment as abrupt endings and unfulfilled promises. Recently, the Chinese TV series "Golden Age of Jin Yong" (金庸武侠世界) found itself at the center of such controversy, leaving viewers divided and questioning the integrity of its production. The series, originally touted to encompass 60 episodes under the ambitious title "New Legend of the Condor Heroes," abruptly concluded after airing only the first segment titled "Iron-Blooded Heart" (铁血丹心). This unexpected decision was met with a wave of criticism from loyal fans who had eagerly anticipated the unfolding of the entire narrative. Announced via the official Weibo account on July 6th, the closure of "Golden Age of Jin Yong" came as a shock to many. The post expressed gratitude to viewers for their support and hinted at a farewell to the martial arts world depicted in the series. Despite initial excitement and high expectations fueled by promotional material featuring a star-studded cast and grandiose production promises, the series failed to deliver on its full potential. At its core, "Golden Age of Jin Yong" aimed to create a cinematic universe akin to Marvel's, gathering iconic characters from Jin Yong's extensive…

Among the numerous garments of Hanfu, the most popular one is probably the Mamian skirt. As a clothing item full of ethnic style, the skirt is characterized by vibrant colors and unique patterns. Wearing it seems like traveling through time and experiencing the charm of traditional culture. In fact, the Mamian skirt is not a completely new design, its history can be traced back to a hundred years ago. Also known as Mamian pleated skirt, it was one of the main skirt styles for ancient Chinese women. It consists of four skirt doors, both front and back, overlapping in pairs. The outer skirt door is adorned with decorations, while the inner skirt door has fewer or no decorations. The Ma Mian Qun is pleated on the side, and the skirt waist is often made of white fabric, symbolizing a lifelong union. It is fastened with a rope or button. The design of the Mamian skirt highlights symmetry and streamlined shapes, emphasizing the curves of women and creating an elegant and dignified image for the wearer. The charm of the Mamian skirt has actually transcended national borders. At the banquet where Princess Diana was announced as the future royal bride in…