At various Chinese festive events, the beautiful and elegant Chinese knots often appear as important decorations. As a traditional Chinese handicraft, it originated from knotting for record-keeping and has been widely used in daily life since then. To know more about Chinese knots, one must understand Basic Knots, which are the smallest units that can be combined and varied to create complex knot patterns, and they are the basic knotting method used in making Chinese knot art. Complex variations and combinations of these basic knots can be created through the use of these fundamental knots. This article will primarily focus on the forms and meanings of 12 basic Chinese knots.   Flat Knot The flat knot is an ancient and simple knot that can be made by winding one end of a line around the other line, with the later one being the axle. This knot can also be made with only one line by winding around an object to form a knot. Flat knots, while simple in appearance, are flat and easy to undo, which makes them widely used in daily life. They can be used to tie things together or to make bracelets, hanging chains, and other decorations,…

Silk is undoubtedly the driving force behind the prosperity of the Silk Road, and Dunhuang is the richest and most concentrated Silk Road town in terms of unearthed silk objects. For historical reasons, these surviving "treasures" scattered around the world have not been systematically organized and studied. Zhao Feng (赵丰), professor at Donghua University and director of the China Silk Museum, led a team of Dunhuang silk researchers in collaboration with experts and scholars from cultural and museum institutions around the world. It took 15 years to systematically organize and study the Dunhuang silk relics scattered around the world, resulting in TEXTILES FROM DUNHUANG (敦煌丝绸艺术全集), a magnum opus. The complete collection was launched at the "Silk Road and Silk Art" forum at Donghua University on October 15, 2021, includes IN UK COLLECTIONS, IN FRENCH COLLECTIONS, IN RUSSIAN COLLECTIONS, IN THE LUSHUN MUSEUM, IN THE DUNHUANG ACADEMY, with millions of words and more than a thousand pictures. The release of "TEXTILES FROM DUNHUANG" fills a gap in the study of silk in Dunhuang, providing important support for research on the Silk Road and the history of textile and costume art. The vast amount of first-ever physical remains plus documentary comparative studies…

In the early Tang Dynasty, with the unification of society and the revival of the economy, the Tang Dynasty exhibited a confident and open cultural atmosphere. This spirit was reflected not only in politics and economics but also deeply influenced the clothing and social customs of the time. The Tang Dynasty women’s clothing, in particular, showcased an unprecedented elegance and confidence. Clothing In the early Tang Dynasty, women’s clothing primarily featured slender garments. Narrow-sleeved tops paired with high-waisted long dresses were the mainstream. The high-waisted design of the dresses appeared elegant and dignified. This design not only accentuated the women’s body curves but also added a touch of grace. Makeup The makeup of early Tang Dynasty women was relatively simple, inheriting the style of the previous era, but gradually evolving towards a brighter look. The women’s eyebrow shapes were diverse, ranging from thin willow-leaf eyebrows to bold moth eyebrows, with various styles being popular. Flower ornaments and rouge spots were still favored decorations, these small and delicate facial ornaments not only added charm to their faces but also reflected the sophistication of makeup art at the time. Hairstyles Hairstyles played a significant role in the attire of early Tang Dynasty…

In recent years, with the rise of the China-Chic trend, many gold stores have also begun to favor products of traditional culture and launched the so-called ancient gold craft and inheritance series of Chinese gold jewelry. The ancient Chinese used goldware as body decoration, dating back to the Xia Dynasty 4,000 years ago. The gold eardrops unearthed in Gansu is the best proof. The simple circle obviously cannot reflect the skill level of the ancients, so today let’s take a look at the gold earrings and gold bracelets in the museum’s collection of cultural relics. Let’s experience the luxury aesthetics of ancient Chinese gold jewelry. Gold earrings, 2100-1600 B.C., collection of Gansu Provincial Institute of Archaeology   Eardrop Eardrops (Er Zhui, 耳坠) is a kind of traditional Chinese earrings, with an additional part of the drop than earrings. Gold earrings, Warring States period, collection of Ordos Museum This pair of gold eardrops in the Warring States Period adopts a cone and spring design, and the color matching of gold and turquoise is even more ingenious. Gem-set gold earrings, Northern Wei Dynasty, collection of Datong Museum This pair of gold eardrops from the Northern Wei Dynasty is composed of amber, silver…

In the hallowed realm of wuxia, where moonlit blades dance and honor collides with treachery, there exists a tapestry woven from starlight and secrets. It is a world where the clash of steel echoes through bamboo forests, and the scent of jasmine mingles with the tang of blood. Within this intricate web of fate, “The Meteor, Butterfly, and Sword” (流星蝴蝶剑) unfurls—a tale that transcends mere legend. The Meteor: Meng Xinghun’s Fleeting Brilliance Meng Xinghun (孟星舜), a shadow among shadows, strides across the martial world like a comet ablaze. His life, like that celestial wanderer, burns brightly but briefly. As an assassin, he wields his blade with ruthless precision, leaving behind a trail of enigma and whispered rumors. Yet beneath the cold steel lies a heart yearning for redemption—a desire to escape the cycle of violence and find solace in the arms of love. The Butterfly: Sun Xiaodie’s Fragile Wings Sun Xiaodie (孙小蝶) flutters through this tale, delicate as a butterfly’s wing. Her beauty captivates hearts, but her spirit harbors secrets. She dances on the edge of danger, torn between loyalty and desire. For her, love blooms like a forbidden flower—an intoxicating fragrance that defies the rigid rules of jianghu. In…

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,…

Historical political dramas, focus on power and strategy. In Chinese historical political dramas, the protagonists are usually in changing dynasties, with tense plots and complex character conflicts that portray the dark rivalry between different forces and keep the audience engrossed in the drama. If you ask what is the attraction of historical political dramas? Probably it can meet the aesthetic experience and expectations of the audience in many ways. The overall story is set in ancient times, and most of the settings are related to the imperial court, which satisfies the public's desire to pry into the royal family. The storyline, full of logical reasoning and details, also makes the audience constantly look forward to the direction of the plot. There are three kinds of themes in Chinese historical dramas that show the means of power and strategies. The first is imperial dramas, in which the plot focuses on the struggle for power among emperors, ministers, and heirs, mainly highlighting the politics of strategists, such as "Kang Xi Dynasty" and "Ming Dynasty in 1566", etc, basically takes history as the main vein and is rated by netizens as the peak of the power and strategies drama. The second kind is…

After countless calls and anticipation, Fan Xian has returned. On the evening of May 16th, after a 5-year hiatus, "Joy of Life 2" premiered online, skyrocketing in viewership and popularity. With a peak viewership rating surpassing 2.2 and a market share of 10%, it secured the top spot in viewership during the same time slot. On Tencent Video, its internal heat index reached 32,906, making it the first series in history to enter Tencent Video's hit club on its premiere day. On the second day of its release, the heat index surged to 33,636, breaking the platform's historical record held by "A Dream of Splendor" for two years (33,520). The actual views exceeded 29 million, setting a new high for the first-day views of new dramas in 2024. Topics related to "Joy of Life 2" dominated various social media platforms, with 16 trending searches within two hours of its premiere, almost monopolizing the charts. These impressive figures have solidified "Joy of Life 2" as the "King of Dramas". From a male-oriented work adaptation into a commercialized benchmark five years ago, to leading the entire online drama landscape with a bang upon its return, "Joy of Life" not only ignited another…

Every year, there are numerous exquisite Chinese ancient dramas. Among them, the beautiful and elaborate costumes in Xuanhuan dramas often create breakout stars who rely on their good looks alone. In recent years, many popular actors have emerged from these productions. The just-concluded youth fantasy Xuanhuan drama "Back from the Brink" has been a hot topic since its release, with over 1 million views at its peak and an increasingly engaging viewing experience. With meticulous costume designs and adorable pet effects as well as two leads: Neo Hou and Zhou Ye, whose emotional intelligence is evident while they navigate through sweet and anguished plotlines with ease, this show not only caters to Gen Z audiences but also propelled the popularity of both 95s-born lead actors. In the series, Neo Hou (Hou Minghao) portrays thousand year dragon Tianyao with his striking appearance paired with deep love that he wholeheartedly, devotes himself to without complaint or regret despite being battered by injuries. He never blindly blames others out of hatred for what happened but rather grows stronger during his journey to find himself again, resulting in an arc made brilliant by Hou's acting skills that helped him stand out from others. During…

This summer, it is destined to be a carnival for Chinese ancient costume dramas. First, we had "Lord of Snow Eagles" and "Destined," followed by "The Longest Promise" and "Divine Destiny." And in the upcoming yet-to-be-aired dramas, we have highly anticipated hits like "The Legend of Shen Li" and "My Journey to You." It can be said that one masterpiece follows another, leaving audience overwhelmed. Especially after completing filming in March, "My Journey to You" quickly obtained its distribution license and officially passed the review process within a very short period. As a pre-produced drama slated for summer season lineup, it is expected to premiere in the middle or later part of the summer. With its excellent production quality, captivating storyline, and a cast full of talented individuals who possess exceptional looks, once it starts airing, it will undoubtedly set new heights for costume dramas. The Wuxia cdrama "My Journey to You" tells the story of rebellious young noble Gong Ziyu and spy Yun Weishan's journey towards growth as they both crave freedom. This marks Guo Jingming's directorial debut in television after achieving consecutive successes in the film industry. His talent has gained recognition from the industry at large. At…

Duration: June 21, 2024 - September 22, 2025Location: Jiade Art Center The exhibition titled "National Colors and Palace Splendor — Colors of Qing Dynasty Court Textiles" intricately weaves together the concepts of "采" (cǎi) and "彩" (cǎi), both of which historically denote multicolored silks and vibrant spirits. Through the tapestries, embroideries, and colors of Qing dynasty court garments, the exhibition aims to illuminate not only the visual grandeur but also the profound cultural and symbolic significance embedded in each fabric. Patterns and Imperial Authority: A Cloak with Motifs In Qing dynasty rule, while maintaining the Manchu ethnic identity through surnames, hairstyles, and clothing, the imperial court adopted Han Chinese motifs, symbols, and patterns. One remarkable piece on display is the Changfu with dragon motifs in various poses: frontal sitting dragons, walking dragons on all fours, and intertwined dragons forming floral patterns. These designs, meticulously carved like relief sculptures, exude a vibrant vitality akin to the famous Nine-Dragon Screen at the Palace Museum and Beihai Park in Beijing. The Exhibition Sections The exhibition unfolds through five thematic units: Celestial Elements, Majestic Illumination, Magnificent Sophistication, Seasonal Splendors, and Clouds of Elegance. Of particular interest is the "Seasonal Splendors" unit, showcasing garments such…

The air-conditioning, cold drinks and ice cream seem to be the standard of modern summer. But in ancient times, how did people spend the long summer? In this article, we will peek at the ancient summer time through a large number of ancient paintings.   Summer Festival July 4 is the sixth day of the sixth month of the lunar calendar, which has been officially designated as Tian Kuang Festival (天贶节) since the Song Dynasty, with the custom of offering sacrifices to ancestors and prohibiting slaughtering. At this time of the year, ancient people would expose grain, clothes and books to the sun to prevent them from getting moldy and being moth-eaten, so the sixth day of the sixth month was also called the Shai Xi Festival (晒洗节). In the Ming and Qing dynasties, people would take their pets to the river to give them a bath, officials would conduct bathing ceremonies for pets owned by the imperial family, such as elephants brought in from other countries. They are often performed during grand celebrations to show the royal majesty. During the Tian Kuang Festival, ancient people also used to store some well water for brewing sauce and vinegar, and for…

As a highly anticipated Xuanhuan drama, "The Blue Whisper: Part 1 (驭鲛记之与君初相识)" started airing on March 17, 2022. In the matrix of cdrama works, The Blue Whisper is special enough to exist. It tells the story of the encounter and the struggle and resistance in front of the established fate.   A beautiful and romantic oriental fairy tale From the very beginning, the beautiful scenes are used to construct the fairyland Wan Hua Gu (Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers) to the audience, breaking the traditional perspective of "Vast Universe" and "Mortal World." But in this background, the story structure of The Blue Whisper goes in the opposite direction. Everything in front of them looks beautiful, but there is a hidden crisis. Talented demon master Ji Yun He (纪云禾, acted by Dilraba Dilmurat) and merman Chang Yi (长意, acted by Ren Jia Lun) meet and get to know each other in such a place of crisis. They go from hostility to trust during their trials and tribulations, gradually refining their true feelings and finally supporting each other. All things come in cycles, but only love never stops, and this is perhaps the key reason "The Blue Whisper" is so moving. What…

A complete hanfu look is certainly not complete without fine jewelry to match. In the course of ancient history, traditional Chinese jewelry naturally evolved, graceful and luxurious, or refined and small. In this article, we will reveal through the order of dynasties, the fashion secrets in ancient traditional Chinese jewelry boxes. Let's see those periods of "China-Chic" how fashionable.   Wei, Jin and North and South Dynasties: A Fashion Trend from Abroad? The poem "Ballad of Mulan" contains the line: "She combs her hair by the window and, before the mirror, fastens golden yellow flowers." This "yellow flowers (Hua Hunag, 花黄)" refers to the makeup of women in the Wei and Jin dynasties, which was inspired by Buddhism. Stills from "Mulan" Due to the popularity of Buddhism, the Buddha-nature of gold brought inspiration to women, so although the "flower yellow" in makeup may have been a little exaggerated, but it does reflect the characteristics of Buddhism at the time, as well as the pursuit of exoticism. Stills from "Mulan" Of course, the rise of the introduction of Buddhism to the fashion circle brought not only makeup, with the matching jewelry also with a clear Buddhist style. In terms of production…

Recently, the launch of “a dream of splendor” has set off a Chinese upsurge in pursuing drama. As an ancient costume work, “a dream of splendor” stands out in many film and television dramas updated at the same time. Whether it is word-of-mouth or broadcast volume, popularity, and topic degree, all occupy absolute advantage. So what is the reason why this show has such a good audience rating? 1. Theme Plot “A dream of splendor” has quite a say in terms of subject matter. The play is adapted from the drama “Zhao Pan’er saves the wind and the moon” by Guanhanqing, a dramatist of the Yuan Dynasty. Guanhanqing is one of the most accomplished writers in the history of Chinese drama. His life-long drama works are very rich, and they all have the significance of reflecting the social reality. The theme of his works is profound, the structure is rigorous, and the image is lively and vivid. The story of “a dream of splendor”, which took place in the Song Dynasty, mainly tells the story of Zaopan’er, Songyinzhang, and Sun Sanniang, who went through all kinds of hardships in Bianjing and finally worked together to turn the small tea shop…

Fairy tales are our sweetest childhood memories. “What is your favorite fairy tale role”? When I was a child, I always dreamed of dancing with Cinderella, joining the army with Mulan, and singing with snow-white in the jungle. I also like to imitate their make-up. The princesses not only have their own personalities and stories but also have their own characteristics in dressing up. They are so beautiful that people can envy them! However, have you ever thought about what Disney Princesses will look like when they wear traditional clothes from other countries? 1. Japanese Style Elsa and Anna sisters in Frozen are classical and beautiful after wearing traditional Japanese clothes. Cinderella, compared with the image in the fairy tale, is more plump, feeling particularly soft. Although changing a style, the color matching of Snow White’s dress is still very similar to that in animation. The little mermaid, Ariel, not only has the painting style of Japanese Geisha but also looks like the beautiful image of the Tang Dynasty in China. 2. Korean literary style Nayoung Wooh, a Korean illustrator, puts on Korean traditional clothes for the Disney Princesses in fairy tales. For example, in the picture below, can you…

This article focuses on the changes in the popularity of traditional Chinese women's clothing from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the early Republic of China. Please read in conjunction with "Ming-style Hanfu collar types diagram" The early Ming dress continues the style of the Yuan dynasty Duanyi (短衣, short clothes), inherited the style of dressing with Duijin (对襟, symmetrical lapels) worn as Jiaojin (交襟, cross lapels) in Song and Yuan Dynasty At this time, also called Dui Jiao Chuan (对交穿). There is also a Jiaoling Youren (交领右衽, wrapping the right side before the left) style. In the mid-Ming period, the sleeve type and skirt door gradually widened, and there was a Tao sleeve (裪袖, sleeve edge protruding from the cuff) structure. According to cultural relics, the stand collar Duijin Shan appeared in the palace system during this period, and was fixed with metal sub-buttons. The style of Dui Jiao Chuan (对交穿) was also excavated in this period, and the more special one is the Mamian skirt with narrow sleeves and thin pleats. Regarding the style of the Mamian skirt, according to the research of excavated cultural relics, the structure of [trapezoidal pleat] and [wide sleeve door] was popular in the…