Aesthetics

The Han Dynasty was the longest feudal dynasty in ancient China after the great unification of the Qin Dynasty. More than four hundred years of the Han Dynasty laid a solid foundation for Han, Hanzi, and Han culture. The same is naturally true in traditional Chinese makeup history. Overall, the core ideas that influenced women's aesthetics during the Han Dynasty were the ideas of Taoism and New Confucianism. The former had the greatest impact on the early and mid-Han Dynasty. The policy of "Recover from a Social Upheaval and Restore Production and Develop" was implemented by the rulers in the early Han Dynasty. Taoism's "Huang–Lao political ideology" responded to this social demand. Focused on the development of natural and "Wu Is the Origin ideas", while advocating an open, positive atmosphere, had a profound impact on the aesthetics of female makeup in this period.   01 Han Dynasty Makeup powder Compared with the pre-Qin dynasty, makeup powder in the Han dynasty had a great development. The powder for the face was based on rice powder, and with the rise of alchemy in the Qin and Han dynasties and the improvement of smelting technology in the Han dynasty, lead powder appeared and became…

The eighth Xitang Hanfu Culture Week this year demands the origin of the word "Hanfu" and its connotation of the same lineage. Promoting the significance of Hanfu clothing is consistent with our consistent beginnings. Hanfu is more than just a piece of clothing, so we need to delve into the realm of traditional culture and combine it with contemporary expression and content. Introducing dynastic carnivals, Hanfu runway shows, weddings, coming of age ceremony, and more. Integrating the thinking of etiquette and aesthetics, advocating the rule, integrity, balance, and harmony of the Han clothing culture. Traditional renewal, innovative Chinese style. Xitang Hanfu Culture Week is willing to spread Hanfu culture with positive energy and experience the ritual of life in the culture with you. Event Time: 2020 the Eighth Chinese National Costume Exhibition & Xitang Hanfu Culture Week:  October 31 to November 3, as scheduled How to Register: Registration for all events of Xitang Hanfu Culture Week will be opened soon, so stay tuned! Appreciation of Previous Activities:

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,…

Hanfu, Chinese clothes, we can also see more and more young people wearing Hanfu in our daily life. The significance of Hanfu lies in the combination of tradition and modernity, the combination of classics and popularity, the combination of rationality and the world, and the embracing of diversified aesthetics. As we all know, ancient society has strict social hierarchy and rules, and one of the important points used to distinguish class superiority and inferiority from the nature of occasions is clothing. From texture to style, from color and pattern patterns, there are strict differentiation limits. We must never put the cart before the horse. So in ancient China, what are the styles of Hanfu in different occasions? 1. Sacrificial Costume The sacrificial costume is the dress worn in sacrifice, which is the most solemn dress among all kinds of crown clothes. The following picture shows the sacrificial clothes of the Ming Dynasty. 2. Court Dress According to many ancient books, sacrificial and court clothes are often used. Although it can be used for sacrifice instead of sacrificial service, its main use is still in the court meeting. It is the clothes of ancient monarchs, ministers, and officials. 3. Official Uniform…

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,…

The documentary genre in China, particularly in the realm of traditional culture, continues to produce outstanding works. Today, I would like to introduce a documentary film about porcelain titled "I Am Your Porcelain (我是你的瓷儿, Wo Shi Ni De Ci Er)". It is well known that in English, the term "china" refers to both "porcelain" and "China", highlighting China as the true homeland of porcelain. Centuries before Europe mastered the technique of porcelain production, China was already creating exquisitely crafted porcelain. Chinese porcelain was once a high-end luxury item exported overseas. The documentary "I Am Your Porcelain" not only fills in our knowledge gap about porcelain but also elevates our aesthetic appreciation, allowing modern individuals to experience traditional aesthetics and craftsmanship through the magnificent Chinese porcelain. "I Am Your Porcelain" features narrator Yu Entai, unfolding a thousand-year-old porcelain scroll. Unlike traditional documentaries that tend to be serious and dull, this film adopts a humorous and witty overall style. In Beijing dialect, "Ci Er" means "good friend, buddy", likening porcelain to an friend we interact with daily, a material object embodying Chinese traditional aesthetics and craftsmanship. Seemingly ordinary yet deeply mysterious, emerging from clay and fire yet as lustrous as jade, it…

Have you ever watched the Dream of the Red Chamber (1987 TV series)? The costume styling of this drama can be called the pinnacle of classical Chinese costume aesthetics. Compared to the diverse styles of costume dramas in recent years, the classical style aesthetic seems to have gradually suffered from indifference and become rare. However, there are still someone who is trying to spread classical aesthetics, and she is the main character in this article, the Hanfu & Classical Aesthetics content creation blogger, @我是411 (I'm 411). She hopes to bring classical aesthetics back into the public through her own efforts and restoration. "The GREAT SHOKUNINI" recently interviewed this 27-year-old Xi'an girl. Like most girls, 411 loved the classical style when she was a child: comic books with traditional stories, calendar illustrations with classical ladies, ancient frescoes and illustrations of ladies in textbooks, and the Dream of the Red Chamber that she watched over and over again. In her opinion, the classical aesthetic was disseminated in the past through refined literary works that did not deviate from tradition, but now, there are many important things that are dying out. Along with the initial heart and sense of mission, 411 set up…

Each dynasty has a different style of makeup, such as the Tang Dynasty's rich and colorful, and the Song Dynasty's clear and elegant. What kind of make-up should I wear when photographing the ancient Chinese dress? General photo-photography, without being very strict, can be very beautiful according to their own conditions hobbies, modern aesthetics, and its combination. Keys to Ancient Chinese Dress Makeup  The eyebrows of classical Chinese beauty are thin and curved. There are some ancient Chinese dress and styling out that require more powerful eyebrows can also be drawn with a slight upward adjustment at the end or a more straight, sharp eyebrow. The eyebrows should be overly natural from light to dark to the end of the eyebrow. For those who have rough and messy eyebrows, use an eyebrow scraper to trim the shape of your eyebrows beforehand, and then use an eyebrow pencil to fine-tune the shape of your eyebrows with a natural curve. Not all girls are suitable for pink peach makeup, and some girls with single eyelids or a lot of fat on their eyelids are not suitable for a large area of pink eyeshadow on their eyelids. Try hitting the pink on the…

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,…

On January 9, 2021, "The 1st Hanfu Expo: Xiuwu" press conference was held in Beijing. According to the press release, the 1st Hanfu Expo will be held in Xiuwu, Henan Province from May 7 to May 9, 2021. The expo will be divided into two academic communication sections: Hanfu Trend Release and Hanfu Forum. The Hanfu Forum will consist of three modules: "Hanfu Aesthetics", "Hanfu Industry" and "Hanfu Economy", in which experts and scholars, opinion leaders, Hanfu brands and designers will be invited to discuss Hanfu aesthetics, Hanfu industry chain composition, and development status, and Hanfu economy model and prospect.

History has annihilated all the past prosperity, and we can no longer witness the traditional dress aesthetics, but can only get a glimpse from the scrolls and terracotta figurines. But the search for Chinese traditional costume culture never stops, looking back at the lost costumes of the years, restoring them and recreating the glory of today. In the first issue, Modern Hanfu collated the styles that directly applied ancient paintings to Hanfu, while in the second issue, the restored Hanfu styles that will be presented to you are those that appear in ancient paintings and ceramic figurines.   The Night Revels of Han Xizai "The Night Revels of Han Xizai" is a painting by Gu Hongzhong, a painter of the Southern Tang Dynasty during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Depicting the scene of Han Xizai, an official, holding a night banquet at his home, with songs and music. There are five scenes in the scroll, and each scene is cleverly separated by a screen. This set of restored hanfu is based on the costume of the musician girl in "Han Xizai's Night Banquet", with a dark pattern on the top, a flower pattern on the skirt, and an…

Mamian skirt, Qixiong dress, and the hundred-pleat skirt; wearing traditional Hanfu has become a new trend in public attire in recent years, whether it be for sightseeing, wedding ceremonies, shopping, friend gatherings, and various other occasions. The "Hanfu craze" continues to rise, blending tradition with modernity, activating cultural resources, igniting the consumer market, and driving industrial development. In recent years, Hanfu has gradually gained popularity among the younger generation, with their youthful expression and fashionable presentation bringing Chinese traditional culture into daily life in a tangible and palpable form. The long-standing Chinese traditional clothing culture embodies a blend of Chinese aesthetic interests, reflecting not only a consumer choice but also the Chinese people's love for outstanding traditional culture.   Demand exceeds supply During the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival of the Year of the Dragon, the activity of "wearing Chinese costumes for free to visit the Confucian Temples" in Qufu City, Jining, Shandong, has been well received. Wang Chunling, a visitor from Liaoning, traveled a long distance with friends to play here, attracted by the lively atmosphere of night tours in the ancient city of Qufu and folk performances, and dressed in Hanfu to join the parade. This year, garments…

"Story of Yanxi Palace" is a drama with a strong sense of history and court aesthetics. Previous dramas of the same kind focus on dramatic conflicts, while Yanxi is particularly prominent in the aspects of palace life, which is extremely rare. The whole drama gives the audience a strong sense of substitution, as if they have followed the characters live in the Forbidden City for 70 episodes. The furnishings in the palace are carefully arranged by the crew, whether it is Shoukang Palace, Chuxiu Palace or Yanxi Palace. Among them, the most impressive is the cloisonne! When it comes to cloisonne, it might not be known to everyone, but it definitely leaves a deep imprint in every viewer's heart. When stepping into the Qianqing Palace, the red-crowned crane and incense burners in front of emperor seat, all of which show the supreme power and dignity of the royal family. Let's learn more about cloisonne, the ancient royal luxury.   The characteristics and history of cloisonne China cloisonne, the national intangible cultural heritage, is one of the famous special metal handicrafts with a history of more than 600 years. It is also known as "copper padding thread weaving vitreous enamel", which…

Imagine strolling through a bustling market, exploring popular tourist spots, or heading to work or school, all while dressed in a flowing, wide-sleeved hanfu. This traditional Chinese attire, rich with historical charm, has become the latest fashion craze among people in China. Hanfu, with its deep roots in Chinese tradition, resonates with a growing appreciation for cultural heritage and aesthetics. Once reserved for special occasions or photo shoots, hanfu is now becoming a common sight in everyday life, from shopping trips to daily commutes. The Soaring Popularity of Hanfu In recent years, the influence of Chinese traditional culture has surged, bolstered by cultural festivals like China Huafu Day and various tourism events. This cultural wave has significantly boosted hanfu's popularity. A notable incident involving an international brand allegedly copying the "mamianqun" (a type of pleated skirt) further heightened awareness and interest in hanfu. Hanfu is no longer confined to specific groups. Its appeal has spread across genders, ages, and city tiers, reaching a wide audience. From first-tier cities to cultural tourism hotspots, hanfu consumption is expanding geographically. Currently, the primary consumers of hanfu are young women. First-tier and cultural tourism cities are the main markets, with rapid growth rates. Interestingly,…

Like Chinese Hanfu costumes, ancient Chinese hairstyles also have a long history. The hair is placed at the head of the body, and it is the key to showing the beauty of the human body. The ancient Chinese hairstyles culture is diverse and gorgeous, a special and wonderful part of Chinese culture, and likewise, it shows the unique aesthetics of China that has rich content. This article contains female ancient Chinese hairstyles and male ancient Chinese hairstyles, and introduces the traditional hairstyle characteristics of different historical periods through the order of dynasties. We hope that you can have a new understanding of Chinese hairstyles through the article. Let's get started!   Female Ancient Chinese Hairstyles Although there are many styles of historical hair bun, depending on the person, the part of the bun is different and can be divided into two categories: one is the hanging bun located at the back of the neck, mainly in the Warring States and Qin and Han dynasties. The other is the high bun on the top of the head, popular in the Eastern Han Dynasty, Wei, and Jin Dynasty, and reached its peak in the Tang and Song Dynasties, with many variations that…

The power of the written word has long been recognized by humankind, and throughout history, books have played a crucial role in shaping our understanding of the world around us. From the earliest manuscripts to modern-day publications, each text holds a wealth of knowledge and insights into the past. The documentary "Ancient Books Through Time" takes viewers on a fascinating journey through the ages, exploring the evolution of the written word and uncovering the secrets that lie within some of the ancient Chinese books. Through a combination of expert analysis, stunning visuals, and compelling storytelling, this documentary offers a rare glimpse into the past, illuminating the extraordinary impact of books on human history. The documentary "Ancient Books Through Time" shows us in the most convincing way that ancient books come through time and can also be integrated into our lives. 1 Vivid life in the ancient books Everyone's life is always inseparable from food, clothing, housing, and transportation, and it was the same in ancient China. Let's start with food and clothing, and learn how the ancient people lived from the ancient Chinese books. If we travel back to the Song Dynasty, we should not have to worry that we…

Time passes, in the millennium of Chinese history, each dynasty has evolved a unique style of women's makeup. As the saying goes, light makeup is always appropriate, nowadays we, and then see these exquisite ancient Chinese makeup style, will also be very amazed. The simple elegance of the Han dynasty, the ebullience of the Six dynasties period, gorgeous opulence of the Tang dynasty, each dynasty has its own representative style and unique aesthetic, today for you to take stock of the beauty of the ancient Chinese makeup style of each dynasty.   Han Dynasty Han Dynasty women advocated "white powder and black Dai (黛, Greenish-black pigment used to paint eyebrows.)", but due to the constraints, they often used natural "cosmetics" to decorate their faces, such as finely ground rice grains to put on the face, this foundation is more healthy, but the effect of whitening is not obvious; many women even chose lead powder to put on the face, this mineral powder is toxic, but it has a strong whitening effect. With a white face, the next most important thing is to draw eyebrows. The common tool used by the ancients to draw eyebrows was "Dai", which was need dissolved…

Unlock the aesthetics of the Song Dynasty and its people through this selection of elegant and inspiring paintings. "The Song, Painted" is a digital exhibition launched by CGTN, which comprehensively presents the living scenes of ancient people in Song Dynasty paintings. Several artists, scholars, and curators share their professional insights to analyze the historical and cultural elements hidden within the Song Dynasty paintings. In this article, let's follow the Hanfu Shidai and renowned designer Chu Yan into the world of Song Dynasty paintings to appreciate the beauty of Song Dynasty costumes and makeup in detail. Song Dynasty costumes were renowned for their refined and elegant beauty. -- Chu Yan During the Song Dynasty, there was a significant shift in female body aesthetics. While plumpness was considered beautiful in the Tang Dynasty, thinness became the beauty standard in the Song Dynasty. Simple and elegant clothing styles were widely popular during this time. In "Palace Concert Rehearsal," we can see characters dressed in simple and modest Beizi (long-sleeved garments) with straight collars and side slits. The loose fit and narrow skirt worn with a tight chest wrap fully showcased the slender and graceful physique of Song women. The painting "Enjoying the Moon…

In recent years, Hanfu has received more and more attention. More and more Hanfu cultural festivals are being held in different cities in China, and worldwide, and thousands of Hanfu enthusiasts are participating in them. The Beauty of Hanfu Is in the Heritage So why is Hanfu so popular? In today's society, people have higher and higher requirements for aesthetics, and the special classical beauty of Hanfu attracts countless people to love it, and then to pay attention to it and understand it. So it is no wonder that Hanfu is so popular. And the beauty of Hanfu is not just on the surface, but in the thousands of years of traditional etiquette and civilization of the Chinese nation that it carries. Today we bring you some of the Hanfu collections from "Yi Guan Da Cheng-Ming Dynasty Costume Culture Exhibition", these collections come from the Shandong Museum and Confucius Museum, most of them are Ming Dynasty clothing, which is not only beautifully made and complete sets, but also very significant for costume research. I hope you can also learn something from these collections. Detailed video about "Yi Guan Da Cheng-Ming Dynasty Costume Culture Exhibition":  Based on the previous dynasty,…