Life

China has a long history of five thousand years. The history written in this vast land by Chinese people flourishing, eating, clothing, housing, and transportation is every bit as colorful and splendid. National dress is the most intuitive expression of national style. For example, when we talk about Japan, people can quickly think of kimonos. What would come to mind if we were to find a synonym for Chinese costumes? In the heart of craftsman Zhong Yi, the word is definitely: Hanfu. Lin Chi-ling In May 2017, Lin Chi-ling in hanfu appears in a large advertisement in Times Square, New York, wearing a simple and elegant bean green hanfu dress. The soft and gentle, exquisite craftsmanship is hidden in the details, showing the restrained and dignified beauty of oriental women. The Chinese culture was promoted intuitively and fully, stunning the world. As a sharer of the second season of the program "THE GREAT SHOKUNIN", Lin had this to say in the program. "China, with its greatness of manners, is called Xia, and the beauty of its costumes is called Hua. Costumes and manners are traditionally the most external cultural heritage of a nation. Hanfu, is not the old clothes that…

Lifen is a cardiologist in China and a Hanfu fanatic at the same time. She accepted our invitation to share her experiences about collecting and wearing Hanfu. She collects different styles of Hanfu and loves Cheongsam (Qipao) in particular. Let’s see how she falls in love with Hanfu. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ hanfuhouse : You’re a doctor, right. Would you mind sharing your working lives with us? Lifen: I’m a cardiologist. It’s been about 15 years since the first day I face cardiac diseases. Speaking about this career, as you can imagine, I’m living under serious stress everyday. It’s me who decides if my patients’ can continue their lives. The white coat I wear, the demeanor I bring with me, and the reputation of the profession I entered, all of these stand for a sacred trust that comes with great responsibility. hanfuhouse : No doubt it’s a sacred profession. As you mentioned, there’s a lot of pressure you need to face in your career life. Are there any hobbies or interests that help you to reach a work-life balance? I know you‘re a Hanfu fanatic, and that’s why we have today’s talk. Could you talk about it? What is the role Hanfu play…

The red pattern on a woman's forehead in ancient times is called "Huadian (花钿)", a special accessory for women's facial makeup. Beautiful make-up has been an indispensable hot topic in women's life since ancient times. Chinese ancient women's make-up of each evolution in the long history will leave endless reverie and wisdom for future generations. Chinese dramas such as "The Longest Day In Chang'an" and "Serenade of Peaceful Joy" in the last two years have caused audiences to explore ancient women's makeup. The stunning red pattern - Huadian, on the forehead of the woman we see most often, also contains countless charming and touching stories.   The Origin of Huadian The red pattern on a woman's forehead in ancient times is called "Huadian (花钿)", a special accessory for women's facial makeup. There is a beautiful legend about the rise of Huadian. According to the legend, Princess Shouyang, daughter of Liu Yu, Emperor Songwu of the Southern Dynasty, was resting outside of the Hall of the Hanzhang one day. The plum tree in front of the palace was a breeze, drifted down a plum blossom, impartial just stick to the princess's forehead, can not be uncovered. Three days later, the plum…

Is there a limit to the imagination? For young Chinese style painting painters, the answer is no.   Wu Junda All the living things are in a commotion between the empty valley. The scene of the divine beast standing proudly between heaven and earth facing the tiny human brings a great impact of confrontation to the audience. Wu Junda (吴俊达) once participated in the Global Game Art Contest (GGAC) and took the Grand Prize in the global 2D art category. The award-winning work that Wu Junda made a name for himself was "Shan Hai You Ling (山海有灵, Mountains and Oceans with Great Spirit)". The four beasts suppressing the mountains and rivers with a stroke that is strong enough to dominate the world tear a crack of time in the intersection of reality and illusion. The details, moreover, are breathtaking. The four beasts with moving hair sweep the bewildered crowd with their fierce eyes which are gradually revealing. Lazy but very oppressive limbs are waving between heaven and earth. Not even a tiny detail should be ignored although the picture is dominated by the divine beasts. The tiny human and the huge divine beast are making a great visual impact. The complex…

The pursuit of beauty is human nature. Beauty is not only a reflection of the mind, but also a reflection of the interest in life. Tang Dynasty women are the best representatives of beauty, because they inherited the mentality of "Dress up for those who like or admire yourself (女为悦己者容)" from ancient times, and pushed the beauty ideal realm to the highest level under the booming economy and the open and tolerant social atmosphere. Court Ladies Adorning Their Hair With Flowers Lively, dignified, noble, the endless types of Tang Dynasty female hairstyles, paired with exquisite makeup, made many literati and scholars unstinting in their talent to depict the Tang women's style. Let's follow ArtMoment to go back thousands of years ago, and enjoy the beauty of Tang female hairstyles in that remarkable era of spiritedness.   Ancient Hairstyle Tips What are Ji and Huan? The ancient Chinese women's hairstyle is commonly known as Ji Huan (髻鬟, jì huán), and according to the method of combing, there are two types of Ji (髻, jì) and Huan (鬟, huán). Ji, solid hair bun, suitable for ordinary women; Huan, ring-shaped hair bun, suitable for young girls. Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk What does…

Recently, the popularity of Mamian Qun (horse face skirt) shows no sign of waning. On November 23rd, at the opening night of VOGUE Forces of Fashion, Tong Yao's appearance in a Mamian Qun caught the attention of netizens. Mamian Qun are gradually integrating into our vision and lives. In light of this trend, I believe many people are eagerly longing to own a horse-face skirt, so let us follow the Hanfu Shidai explore the details to consider when selecting and styling a horse face skirt.   I. Selection Stage Step 1: Size First and foremost, a suitable size that fits and contours to the body curves is crucial for a perfect outfit. Similar to a suit, one can choose to follow the size chart or opt for made-to-measure when selecting a Mamian Qun. Whether based on the size chart or personalized tailoring, the primary measurements to consider are height, waist circumference, and hip circumference. These factors will influence the choice of skirt length, waist length, and hem circumference. If we choose to purchase online, merchants often provide a size chart for customers to make their selection. By referring to the table, one can choose accordingly based on their own size…

there has been a remarkable resurgence of interest in traditional Chinese attire, known as Guofeng Guochao, across various regions in China. Luoyang (洛阳), renowned for its rich historical legacy as one of China's ancient capitals, has emerged as a focal point for this cultural revival. Visitors strolling through the streets of Luoyang can now frequently encounter tourists donning a variety of Tang dynasty and Song dynasty costumes. Whether riding electric bikes, commuting on buses, or capturing moments amidst pavilions and towers, these individuals have become a unique and vibrant addition to the city's cultural landscape. The sight of tourists dressed in Tang and Song dynasty costumes is not merely a nostalgic reenactment but a celebration of cultural heritage brought to life. Luoyang's comprehensive reforms and innovative cultural tourism initiatives have played a pivotal role in revitalizing its historical narratives. By bridging the gap between ancient texts and contemporary city life, Luoyang has transformed its streets and alleyways into living testaments of its thirteen dynastic histories. Luoyang's approach to cultural tourism goes beyond superficial displays of history; it integrates immersive experiences that resonate with both locals and visitors alike. The blend of ancient attire with modern transportation and photography exemplifies this…

The red pattern on a woman's forehead in ancient times is called "Huadian (花钿)", a special accessory for women's facial makeup. Beautiful make-up has been an indispensable hot topic in women's life since ancient times. Chinese ancient women's make-up of each evolution in the long history will leave endless reverie and wisdom for future generations. Chinese dramas such as "The Longest Day In Chang'an" and "Serenade of Peaceful Joy" in the last two years have caused audiences to explore ancient women's makeup. The stunning red pattern - Huadian, on the forehead of the woman we see most often, also contains countless charming and touching stories.   The Origin of Huadian The red pattern on a woman's forehead in ancient times is called "Huadian (花钿)", a special accessory for women's facial makeup. There is a beautiful legend about the rise of Huadian. According to the legend, Princess Shouyang, daughter of Liu Yu, Emperor Songwu of the Southern Dynasty, was resting outside of the Hall of the Hanzhang one day. The plum tree in front of the palace was a breeze, drifted down a plum blossom, impartial just stick to the princess's forehead, can not be uncovered. Three days later, the plum…

Constellation culture, Hanfu culture, and cosplay culture are irresistible. Do you know what kind of Hanfu is suitable for different constellations? 1. Aries Aries is the first sign of spring. The breath of spring endows Aries with new vitality, vitality and passion. Born in this constellation, is a vigorous, warm and frank, love freedom, brave and straightforward people. 2. Taurus Taurus’s personality is like a bull, stable attitude, prudent, but on the other hand, it is also very stubborn, if the temper, often no one can stop. 3. Gemini Gemini people ancient spirit, personality free and easy, generally will not be bound by feelings, as long as it is what they want, Gemini people will strive to pursue. 4. Cancer Cancer is the first sign of summer. Born in the hot summer, cancer has a strong sense of family and rich imagination. The strange environment will make cancer feel a little uncomfortable and alienated. Only when you are familiar with the environment can you see the humorous side of cancer. 5. Leo Leo is like a fire, warm and cheerful, treat the people around you very generously, have anything to share with others, very generous. 6. Virgo Virgo is a…

In the just-finished 2022 Spring/Summer Shanghai Fashion Week, I wonder if you found your favorite style in so many beautiful modern clothes? In the general environment and background of the increasing revival of traditional culture, many brands have chosen Chinoiserie fashion with national culture as the keynote. We know that only by truly integrating our traditional culture into modern life is there a true revival of culture. In Shanghai Fashion Week, these designer brands present Hanfu with national culture at its core, and they are committed to focusing on the new era concept of reviving traditional Han Chinese clothing and giving fashion a newborn aesthetic. Through creative fusion infused with Chinese aesthetic elements, the major brands tell the history and interpret the national culture in a way that young people can understand. However, these designs still use the western system of traditional Chinese clothing to make a western fashion transformation with collage of various elements. Although there is a very long way to go before the real return, this way can also show the wisdom of the ancient people in a multi-dimensional way with a fashion vocabulary easily understood by modern people, which is a good start anyway, and we…

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 2023, China Central Television released a remarkable documentary about Su Shi titled "Ding Feng Bo (定风波)". Covering themes like poetry, art, cuisine, travel, and society, the series revisits the tumultuous life of Su Shi, also known as Su Dongpo, highlighting how his attitude toward life continues to inspire us today. Su Shi is portrayed by Nie Yuan, who, at 45, skillfully captures Su Shi's life from his 20s to his old age. Whether it's his youthful ambition as he begins his official career, his diligence in serving the people, his despair during the "Crow Terrace Poetry Case," or his optimism after being exiled, Nie brings each phase of Su Shi's life to vivid life, making this arguably the best on-screen portrayal of Su Shi to date. The five episodes of "Ding Feng Bo" are titled "Chu Chuan Ji," "Hu Shan Ji," "Mo Jie Ji," "Xuan Hu Ji," and "Jie Lu Ji." The cinematography greatly enhances the aesthetic quality of the series, perfectly aligning with the artistic ambiance of Su Shi's poetry. Every frame is stunning enough to be a wallpaper. Su Shi is often remembered as a literary giant who loved life, but in truth, he faced much hardship,…

As we enter June, dramas with female-centric themes are making a strong impact. Both "The Double" and "The Tale of Rose" have delivered impressive performances since their premieres, with steadily rising viewership and discussion heat. Interestingly, both shows are narrated from a "great female lead" perspective, focusing on themes of growth, revenge, and even vengeance. If "being a woman is a condition," these two dramas, set in different backgrounds, illustrate this condition through the characters Xue Fangfei and Huang Yimei. By examining the protagonists' settings and fate, we can see the next iteration of the great female lead theme and trace the common issues present in female-centric dramas. So, will the future model for great female leads be Xue Fangfei or Huang Yimei? The plots of "The Double" and "The Tale of Rose" are not overly complex. The former depicts a tragic wife who pseudo-reborn and seeks revenge, while the latter revolves around a woman's love story with four men. Both protagonists' stories follow the narrative pattern of female-centric novels: clear character growth, with their pains mainly caused by men. As they grow, the presence of men in their lives diminishes. Additionally, Xue Fangfei and Huang Yimei share some overpowered…

There is such a Chinese original animation, which has only been updated for 6 episodes since its broadcast in 2017, but has collected 30 million views. It is Choir of Chinese Poems (中国唱诗班), the first Chinese short animation production, with classic ancient poetry as the main theme of the story and the historical allusions of the scholars as the outline. The animation is entirely original and hand-drawn by a team of Chinese youths, and each episode is less than 25 minutes. The images are beautiful and moody, with strong Chinese colours and a moving storyline that brings to life traditional Chinese ancient poetry. 1 Love Seeds Released on 23 December, 2016. The most popular of all Choir of Chinese Poems episodes is "Love Seeds", about a red bean and a tragic love affair. The young scholar Wang Chutong has been secretly in love with Liuniang since childhood. Hearing that red beans could express love, he sneaked up to the door of the Liuniang and presented a red bean. "This is the red bean from Wang Wei's poems 'Xiang Si'." Liuniang knew exactly what the Wang Chutong was thinking but did not say anything. But after joking, she cooked a bowl…

The mythological narrative in current Chinese animation is not simply a repetition of classic mythological stories, but a new form of creation. Whether it is a contemporary revision of a specific mythological story, or a new narrative after mixing, collaging, grafting, and transforming various non-homologous mythological stories, contemporary concepts are injected while retaining the typical visual symbols of mythology, and drawing heavily from traditional Chinese art styles, providing a new way of thinking for the development of Chinese animation. Mythology has an open interpretation space and interdisciplinary nature. Over the years, based on disciplines such as anthropology, history, religion, folklore, literature, psychology, etc., different research methods and schools of thought have gradually formed around issues such as origin, function, characteristics, and structure. For example, the natural mythology school believes that mythology originated from the worship of natural phenomena such as wind, rain, thunder, and lightning by early humans. From a structuralist perspective, understanding mythology is key to grasping its deep structure: although mythological narratives from different ethnic groups and regions are not exactly the same, they have universal structures and rules within them. From a psychological perspective, myths are often seen as the product of common psychological projections of various ethnic…

The intense summer drama showdown has begun. Youku has set the stage good start with "The Double," and now they’re back with a surprise hit - "The Princess Royal." Upon its release, this drama swiftly climbed to the top of Youku's hottest premieres of 2024. Within the first three episodes, "The Princess Royal" manages to tell a story with the pace and charm that would take other dramas a dozen episodes to cover. The plot advances at lightning speed, from the protagonists' deaths to their reunion in a new life, leaving no room for unnecessary filler. For those recovering from the addictive "The Double," "The Princess Royal" is the perfect follow-up. This drama blends intense romance and sweet moments seamlessly. With Youku consistently delivering high-quality dramas, audience expectations have risen. While innovating in the historical romance genre is challenging, "The Princess Royal" manages to surprise. It combines a strong male and female lead dynamic with multi-layered relationships, where the leads are adversaries, allies, and lovers all at once. This creates a sweet yet complex narrative that keeps viewers hooked. In recent years, sweet dramas have faced criticism for being formulaic and artificial. However, "The Princess Royal" offers fresh and grounded…

One-third of life is spent on sleeping, and beds play an important role in people's lives. So, what did the bed look like in ancient China? Ancient humans often lived in caves. In order to keep warm, weeds, leaves, and animal skins were spread on the ground, which was roughly the earliest bed. During the Banpo cultural period of the matrilineal society, the prototype of the bed appeared, that is, the Tutai (土台), which is similar to today's kang bed-stove. In "Guangbo Wuzhi", there is such a record: "Shennong invented the bed, and Shaohao made the Kui (篑), and Lu Wang made the Ta (榻)." During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, the prototype of the bed was slowly determined. Compared with our modern beds, the ancient traditional beds had many functions. At night, the ancients slept on the bed, but during the day, they also needed to sit or lie down to rest, so the "Ta (榻, couch)" was invented. The earliest prototype of the couch is the mat. In other words, putting a mat on the ground can sit and lie down. In ancient times, people in northern China generally used grass to make mats, while southerners generally used…

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…

Have you ever wondered about the animal motifs on your hanfu and what they stand for? Why are there so many dragons in traditional Chinese art? And what’s up with the monkey statues everywhere? Let's delve into the symbolism of animal motifs. It will only take about 5 minutes of your time, and hopefully, you'll learn something new or revise what you already know! Each hanfu garment is unique. It has various styles and designs, that reflects different historical periods and regional influences. Although the differences are significant, many of them include similar animal embroidery and motifs. Animals that have been deeply intertwined with Chinese culture from its earliest days. Animals in Chinese culture are thought to be symbolic representations of various aspects of life. Understanding the symbolic meaning of an animal will lead to grasping the hidden message of the art. It is not only an important decorative element but also adds meaning, symbolism, and cultural significance to the art, particularly in the context of Hanfu garments.   Most commonly used animal motifs are: Birds: Birds are often associated with the sun and allegorical folk-tales. Each bird carries its own unique symbolism, though most are connected to happiness and…

In recent years, the production of historical dramas has increasingly emphasized the organic fusion of traditional cultural elements with storytelling, showcasing a more sophisticated and heartfelt approach to presenting traditional culture. From my perspective, the application of traditional cultural elements in historical dramas can be categorized into three levels: external, superficial, and internal depths.   Authentic Historical Restoration Historical dramas have shown a growing emphasis on meticulous attention to costume and set design, striving for a faithful reconstruction of historical accuracy. Some productions adhere strictly to scholarly research, almost replicating characters' attire and appearances directly from ancient texts and paintings. This approach allows viewers to experience the true aesthetic charm of traditional Chinese clothing. For example, in "Serenade of Peaceful Joy," the portrayal of Emperor Renzong of Song (played by Wang Kai) closely mirrors historical portraits, achieving a striking visual realism akin to a 3D print from ancient paintings. Beyond costumes, headwear serves as a crucial element of visual aesthetics for female characters. Instead of exaggerated hairstyles, integrating traditional intangible cultural heritage elements into hair accessories creates a sophisticated and refreshing visual appeal. For example, in "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace," the use of Tian-tsui ornaments on the hair…