The young man sleeping on the kang bed had his second brother Han Zhu beside him, snoring at varying volumes. Not far from the bed was a yellow mud wall, aged with time, with several fine cracks through which the complaints of Han's mother and the sound of his father smoking a dry tobacco pipe could be heard. The young man slowly closed his sore eyes, hoping to fall asleep soon. He knew he had to wake up early tomorrow to go to the mountains with his friends to collect firewood. This young man was named Han Li. Although his name sounded quite proper, it was actually given by Old Uncle Zhang at the cost of two steamed buns from his father. Old Uncle Zhang was the only literate person in the village, and he had named many of the children. Han Li was nicknamed "Dummy," but he wasn't stupid at all. In fact, he was the smartest child in the village. He longed to escape this small village and see the outside world. But he didn't dare share this thought with others, as it would be surprising for a child to have such ideas. Han Li had two older…

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…

Bijia (比甲) is a kind of Chinese outfit, it is a sleeveless and collarless vest, with two sides split to the knee. Its style is longer than that of the later vest, generally to the hip or knee, some longer, less than a ruler (about 33 cm long) from the ground. The main function is to keep warm, the advantage is very convenient, Bijia popular in the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. Origin & Development of Bijia Bijia was designed and made by the empress of Kublai Khan (the emperor of the Yuan Dynasty). At the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty, Bijia was worn by the emperor, and later gradually became popular among the people. Since the application of buttons in clothes appeared in the Yuan Dynasty, buttons have also been used in Bijia, which is more convenient and compact to wear. This is a new change in traditional Chinese outfits. Shape & Wear Style of Bijia In the Yuan Dynasty, Bijia was sleeveless and collarless, and the back of the garment was longer than the front, with two buttons made of thread on each side of the split, it was originally designed for the convenience of riding. The front chest…

A Celebration of Tradition and Sport Against the picturesque backdrop of Qinghai Lake in Gangcha County, Qinghai Province, the 9th China-Qinghai International Ethnic Traditional Archery Elite Tournament kicked off on the evening of the 20th. Athletes from 22 countries and regions, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Mongolia, Poland, Russia, and China, gathered to compete in this prestigious event, totaling 1,100 archers. Vice Governor of Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Ma Ruxiang, highlighted the tournament's role in integrating traditional ethnic sports with cultural exchanges. He emphasized how the event fosters camaraderie among different ethnic groups, promoting mutual assistance and enhancing national confidence through interactions with global participants. Competing at the Highest Standards The three-day elite tournament features five major competitions across four types of bows: modern traditional bow, compound bow, recurve bow, and horn bow. While the compound bow competition utilizes traditional earthen targets, other events adhere to international Olympic standards using standardized target papers. The 9th China-Qinghai International Ethnic Traditional Archery Elite Tournament commenced under the serene gaze of Qinghai Lake, drawing 1,100 archers from 22 countries and regions. This event, hosted in Gangcha County by the Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, not only showcases the prowess of athletes but also serves as a…

As one of the most celebrated and sought-after ceramics of the Song Dynasty, Ru ware embodies a sense of understated refinement that has captivated collectors and scholars alike for centuries. One of the hallmarks of this delicate porcelain is its unique coloring, which comes from the use of glazes made from carefully selected natural materials. These hues are not only beautiful in their own right but also imbued with symbolic meaning that reflect important cultural values. In this article, we take a look at the ceramics of Zhang Wentao, a master of traditional Chinese arts and crafts, and delve into the delicate world of Ru ware and the fascinating relationship between its traditional colors and Chinese culture. As the pinnacle of Chinese porcelain, the beauty of Song Dynasty Ru ware has been continuously receive attention since its birth and gradually integrated into the lives of literati in various dynasties. Unlike the richness and liveliness of the Tang Dynasty, it removes all decorations and returns to nature. Simple and elegant, crystal clear. "Like jade, not jade, but better than jade", the aesthetic mood of the peaceful East is revealed. Even ancient emperors cannot resist this beauty. In the late Northern Song…

Since its literary inception in the pre-Qin era with "Han Feizi," "Wuxia" has carried and embodied the emotions and joys and sorrows of the Chinese people for thousands of years. As a representative figure of Chinese wuxia novels, Jin Yong elevated this uniquely romance to a global height. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Jin Yong's birth. To commemorate this, Tencent Video and Yaoke Culture have produced a series directed by Xu Bing, Deng Ke, Cao Dun, Zang Xichuan, and Yang Lei, with writers Xu Bing, Li Haishu, Huang Yanwei, Cao Xiaotian, Cheng Tingyu, and Luo Yiwei. The series stars Zhou Yiwei, Gao Weiguang, Chen Duling, Peter Ho, Hani Kezi, Ming Dao, Meng Ziyi, He Yu, Cisha, Bao Shang'en, Wang Hongyi, and Huang Yi (listed in order of appearance based on the storyline). The "The Legend of Heroes: Hot Blooded" series premiered on June 17, with the first 30-episode web drama "Iron Blooded Loyal Heart" inviting a new generation to experience the authentic essence of Jin Yong and the pure charm of wuxia culture. "The Legend of Heroes: Hot Blooded" continues the legacy of the first part of the 1983 version of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes." The…

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…

"War of Faith" continues to ferment in reputation and heat, breaking theratings record on the eve of the grand finale. The series has put great effort into character development, from the meticulous portrayal of characters like Arwen, who pulls a cart in Qibao Street, to the profound and restrained senior consultant Shen Tunan. The multi-dimensional conflicts make the characters full of tension, well-rounded in their portrayal, logically sound, and build a rich and diverse ensemble of characters. Recently, "War of Faith" reached its grand finale, where we witness Wei Ruolai (played by Wang Yibo) transforming from a naive newcomer in the workplace to a resolute revolutionary, after realizing the Nationalist Party's pursuit of interests disregarding the suffering of the people. Wei Ruolai undergoes a long process of reshaping after a collapse of faith, which proves to be an exceptionally challenging journey. Fortunately, after the agony, Wei Ruolai is reborn. Two pivotal figures in Wei Ruolai's life are his mentor who introduced him to this world, and a comrade who helped reshape his beliefs. Essentially guided by his mentor Shen Tunan to form his initial understanding of society, Shen Tunan provides him a glimmer of hope in his darkest moments, disregarding…

Nanjing Cloud Brocade (云锦, Yunjin) is a traditional Chinese silk craft that dates back to 417 and has a history of 1,600 years, known as "inch of brocade, inch of gold". Today, the traditional characteristics and unique skills of cloud brocade are still maintained, and the traditional jacquard wooden machine weaving has been retained. This traditional hand weaving technique, which relies on human memory to weave, still cannot be replaced by modern machines. In the ancient silk fabric, "brocade (Jin, 锦)" is the fabric representing the highest level of technology. The three famous Chinese brocades are cloud brocade, Shu brocade (蜀锦), and Song brocade (宋锦), and Nanjing cloud brocade is a collection of the art of weaving silk craft of all generations, ranking the first, represents the highest achievement of Chinese silk weaving, and is the brilliant crystallization of Chinese silk culture. This article will share the history, characteristics of Chinese silk crafts: the Nanjing Yun brocade.   History of Nanjing Cloud Brocade At the end of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Liu Yu destroyed the Later Qin and moved the craftsmen workers to Nanjing, where advanced production techniques were brought to the south from Xi'an and the silk weaving industry…

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 Eve of Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year's Eve, is celebrated on the last night of the lunar calendar year, marking the end of the year. It is one of the most important traditional festivals for the Han Chinese people. The term "Chuxi" translates to "getting rid of the old and welcoming the new," symbolizing a fresh start and the renewal of all things. According to historical records in the "Lüshi Chunqiu," an ancient Chinese text, the custom of Chuxi originated from the practice of driving away evil spirits by beating drums on the day before the New Year. Customs on Chinese New Year's Eve are deeply rooted in tradition and have been passed down for generations. Families stay up all night on this occasion, a practice known as "shousui" or "keeping vigil," to welcome the arrival of the new year. One of the most significant customs on Chinese New Year's Eve is the reunion dinner, known as "nián yè fàn." Families gather to enjoy a sumptuous feast, featuring traditional dishes that carry symbolic meanings. For example, eating fish symbolizes abundance and prosperity, while dumplings represent wealth and good fortune. In northern China, it is…

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,…