Song dynasty

People are always curious about history, wondering about the appearance of famous figures from the past. Today, with the help of AI technology, the face of the emperor of the Song Dynasty has been recreated. The Song Dynasty was an important era in Chinese history, with its territory expanding and contracting, divided into the Northern Song and Southern Song periods. The capital of the Northern Song was in Bianjing (modern-day Kaifeng), while the capital of the Southern Song was in Lin'an (modern-day Hangzhou). The Song Dynasty was a time of prosperity in commercial economy and cultural education in Chinese history. During this period, there was relatively enlightened politics, agricultural development, thriving commerce and urban centers, social changes, the revival of Confucianism leading to the formation of Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, rapid technological advancements, flourishing poetry, and high achievements in calligraphy and painting. Scholars estimate that the Song Dynasty's GDP accounted for 22.7% of the world economy at that time, and the total population in 1124 reached 126 million. Some scholars praise the cultural achievements of the Han Chinese, culminating in the Song eras after thousands of years of evolution.   Zhao Kuangyin Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin (960-976), reigned…

Today we will take stock of the good shape, design thin, easy matching Song dynasty long Beizi.   Beizi fabric is single-sided tweed, embroidered lapels with inserts, stars and moon embroidery combines traditional embroidery techniques with fashion elements. The lapel cuffs are inlaid with plush trim, full of girlie feeling. Pink body with light blue lapels, the color is light and fresh.   Tweed Beizi cuffs are embedded with white wool strips and embroidered elegantly. The overall color scheme is fresh, and a golden swallow and rabbit are embroidered on each side of the front, making it lively and vivid. A small piece of suede patch embroidery is added to the placket, adding a lovely winter feel with the fur strips on the sleeves.   The tweed fabric of Beizi is warm and thick, and this Beizi is more suitable for everyday and can be worn as regular wear. The embroidery can be said to be just right. The light blue color scheme really looks super gentle.   Beizi lining feels smooth and the plush is soft and delicate, and it is windproof and warm. The edge of the endings are also edged with plush, both practical and beautiful. The…

The rise of the hanfu market restored traditional festivals back to former hustle and bustle. Lighting lanterns, pasting couplets, wearing hanfu, and singing ancient poems, built a bridge between ancient and modern times and seized the young people’s hearts. Hanfu brings feelings of nostalgia, ancestor worship, and gratitude to modern people. At the same time, hanfu production, sales, makeup, and supporting service markets have risen, and hanfu element immersive experience marketing is also in the stage of vigorous development.   Traditional culture in the costume The West Lake cruise ship with rabbit lanterns is swaying in the lake, and several tourists in hanfu complement with beautiful scenery, which is pretty much in line with the feeling of crossing Hangzhou, a thousand-year-old city. Many young people are immersive in it. "When I watched costume dramas as a child, I often put on a bed sheet to imitate a robe, and now wearing hanfu is more like a dream come true." Yan Peishan, who studied in Italy, said, "Earlier, I played erhu on stage in hanfu and won a lot of praise. It turns out that there are not only cheongsams in China, but also beautiful hanfu." Hanfu does not only refer…

Ancient paintings are one of the most important ways to explore the ancient traditional Hanfu, and the Hanfu styles in some classic famous paintings are even more popular among Hanfu enthusiasts. The charm of the Wei and Jin dynasties, the gracefulness of the Tang Dynasty, the elegance of the Song Dynasty, just flow into reality from ancient paintings. Today, take a look at those restored Hanfu costumes from ancient paintings!   Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk (Dao Lian Tu, 捣练圖) shows women at work pounding, weaving, ironing and sewing, and is an important custom painting of the Tang Dynasty. The women in the painting are voluptuous and dressed in various colors of Qixiong dresses, if looking closely, you can see that the fabric is decorated with colorful patterns, mainly with Tuan Hua (团花). At present, there are some restored Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk hanfu, which can be said to be very nicely restored in color and pattern, fresh, natural and antique style.   A Palace Concert A Palace Concert (Tang Ren Gong Le Tu, 唐人宫乐图) depicts the life of court lady at a banquet during the late Tang Dynasty. Around the…

Song Hanfu is never absent from summer wear, and most of them are made of silk, tencel, and other breathable materials that will bring you a touch of coolness in the hot summer. 1 Moxiong + Changshan + Zhequn The Changshan (long shirt) is very light, with delicate floral embroidery at the collar edge. The silk material is comfortable and skin-friendly, with a gentle color scheme. The fabric of Moxiong (a kind of Song Dynasty underwear) is a chemical fiber fabric, has a good feel. Chiffon material skirt, with breathable performance, good drape.   2 Diaodai + Changshan + Jianqun The single-layer Diaodai (camisole, a kind of Song Dynasty underwear) is decorated with pearls, and the material has a dark pattern of bamboo leaves. The Changshan has a dark pattern of diamond lattice with a bright scarlet color, and the placket is decorated with small pearls and webbing, which is soft and smooth to the touch and comfortable on the body. The skirt is with a dark pattern of twisted grapes. The use of large dark patterns adds to the luxury of this hanfu.   3 Diaodai + Duanshan + Baidie Qun The main color of this Song hanfu is…

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…

Beizi is a kind of Hanfu, which began in Sui Dynasty and was popular in song and Ming Dynasties. Most of Beizi are straight collar, the sides are not sewn from the armpits. They are usually worn over other clothes. Although the Song Dynasty established a unified dynasty, it was different from the Tang Dynasty in terms of comprehensive national strength and military strength. In the face of the huge military pressure, the government of the Song Dynasty was unable to resist. Instead, they just gave in and gave up their territory in exchange for peace. At the same time, they took the feudal thought to control the people and imprison people’s thought. This historical background and social trend of thought directly affected people’s attitude towards life and aesthetic taste. The overall artistic style of Song Dynasty emphasized the restraint of individual personality and desire, with a strong color of abstinence. The fashion of paying attention to moral cultivation greatly affected the dress. Therefore, the dress of Song Dynasty returned to the traditional and simple style, revealing the beauty of modesty and elegance. Style In Song Dynasty, Beizi’s collars were divided into three types, namely, straight collar, oblique collar and…

The elegance of the Han and Jin dynasties, the grace of the Tang dynasty, the refinement of the Song dynasty, and the magnificence of the Ming and Qing dynasties – throughout China’s five thousand years of history, each era has its unique charm in beauty and fashion. This article will take you on a journey through various dynasties, allowing you to appreciate the distinctive allure of ancient Chinese women’s hairstyles. The Han Dynasty and Wei-Jin Period During the Han Dynasty, the elegant and dignified hair bun showcased the noble and graceful temperament of women. Hairstyles of this period emphasized smooth and harmonious lines, with meticulous attention to detail, presenting a refined and classical charm. In the Wei-Jin Period, women’s hairstyles embraced a sense of simplicity and freshness. The hair buns became more straightforward, emphasizing natural charm, often adorned with headbands or hairpins to highlight a playful and lovely aspect. During this time, hairstyles focused on comfort and naturalness, reflecting the openness and diversity of Wei-Jin culture. The Southern and Northern Dynasties and Sui Dynasty During the period of the Southern and Northern Dynasties, China experienced political divisions and turmoil, leading to the blending of diverse regional cultures, which also influenced…

At the beginning of summer, the weather has gradually become hot. At this time, the question of what to wear today becomes a puzzle.So today we’re going to share some suitable for early summer wear, for friends’ reference only Natural fabrics are more suitable for wearing in summer. These kinds of fabrics are more breathable and sweat absorbing, so they are not easy to be stuffy in summer. Silk and cotton are very close to the skin and are suitable for close fitting. Recommendation 1： Song Dynasty made Hanfu is really suitable for summer. The fabric is light and breathable. The outer Beizhi is not only fashionable but also cool, which is very suitable for summer. Recommendation 2: The color of this half arm dress is very simple and elegant, which gives people a cool feeling visually.Although the clothing is a simple solid color style, but its material with exquisite embroidery, so the clothes will not appear too monotonous.Whether it’s spring or summer, it’s amazing. Recommendation 3: Qiyao Ruqun is a kind of Chinese clothing style preferred by girls. This set of Chinese elements Qiyao Ruqun is simple and elegant in color, showing graceful temperament. It is worth mentioning that…

So the Mamianqun, or 馬面裙, or horse-faced skirt, has been blowing up lately especially because of the Dior controversy—here's an in-depth dive into the history, construction, and features of the famous horse-face skirt.   A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MAMIANQUN The mamianqun or horse-faced skirt is a skirt that first originated somewhere close to the Song dynasty worn by high-class courtesans (who were like celebrities and fashion icons tbh) in the form of colorful pleated silk. It’s named this way because of its resemblance to the mamian fortress, which has stairs on either side (like the pleats) and a door in the front and back (like the skirt doors). The ‘doors’ sides of the fortress were known as the *horse faces* or mamian/ because these were the faces of the fortress where the horses would pass through. It became extremely popular in the following Ming dynasty and stayed popular through the Qing dynasty through Manchurian rule—it’s been around for a long, long time! Mamianqun are more convenient for movement and offer a regal, classy aesthetic as well as a very recognizable and unique silhouette. Even Princess Diana wore one once! BASIC CONSTRUCTION OF A MAMIANQUN The Skirt Doors From the…

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…

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…

  On the evening of 26 May, a unique discussion was taking place in a courtyard in Yibin, Sichuan Province. The participants were all dressed in "Chinese traditional costumes", including a round-necked robe from the Tang dynasty, a Beizi from the Song dynasty, and a short Aoqun from the Ming dynasty, giving a sense of time travel at first glance. They are members of the Yibin Hanfu Association and are working on a plan for a ritual. Li Juan, the owner of the courtyard and president of the Yibin Hanfu Association, listens carefully and gives sound advice from time to time. Li Juan is a lover of traditional culture and has won awards for excellence in calligraphy in Yibin's Cui Ping District, and for excellence in Chinese painting from the Yibin Artists Association, etc. She came across hanfu in 2013 and loved it so much that she has been promoting it with other hanfu enthusiasts ever since. In December 2019, she took the lead in setting up the Yibin Hanfu Association, and has held many events such as the Flower Festival, coming-of-age ceremony, and the Qu Yuan Ritual Ceremony at the Dragon Boat Festival, bringing hanfu and traditional rituals to…

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…

In recent years, Hanfu culture has formed a new trend among Chinese young people, such as Hanfu parades, Hanfu dances, Hanfu fashion shows,s and so on. Recently, the theme forum of “culture Tianfu, fashion Chengdu” and the Hanfu culture festival held in Chengdu have had a great impact. At the event site of the Hanfu Culture Festival, various Hanfu shows were staged in turn, including Hanfu of the Tang Dynasty – Qixiong Ruqun, Beizi Hanfu of the Song Dynasty, Jiaoling Ruqun of the Jin Dynasty, etc. Everyone put on their favorite traditional Hanfu. Walking in this street, it seems that they have a feeling of crossing time and space, and also shows the charm of “The first city of Hanfu” in Chengdu. At the event site, the planning of “Hanfu characteristic street”, one of the characteristic projects of Manjusri square, was officially released – it is planned to introduce 20 brand Hanfu institutions. This will be China’s first Hanfu characteristic cultural street integrating “R & D, design, display, sales, leasing, makeup photos, and experience”. Why did China’s first Hanfu characteristic cultural street settle in Chengdu? Historically, Chengdu has been known as the “Land of silkworm clusters” since ancient times. Sichuan…

Hey everyone, long time no see! It's been a while and I promise I'm still working on the Song Dynasty sections of Hanfu Unearthed—in the meantime, enjoy this not-so-short cheat sheet to all of the most commonly used fibers and weaves in hanfu, whether historically or in the industry today. Fibers Fibers are the material from which threads are spun to be made into fabric. These include synthetic fibers made in labs or factories by humans, as well as animal fibers that are grown as fur or silk by animals, or plant-based fibers that we harvest from various fibrous plants. Tencel Rising in popularity, especially last summer, tencel is a kind of semi-synthetic fiber made from cellulose, also called lyocell, originally made to imitate silk. Made by dissolving cellulose into pulp and using dry jet-et spinning to reconstitute the fibers, it’s a clean process that creates a kind of synthetic fiber using natural materials: easier to dye than cotton, more breathable than polyester, moisture-wicking, and softer than linen. The one downside of tencel is that it’s easily wrinkled, but its smooth draping quality and breathability make it a first choice for hanfu manufacturers today. Other rayons are also used, but…

The Song Dynasty was a prosperous era of cultural and artistic flourishing, and in recent years, there has been an increasing number of dramas set in the Song Dynasty. However, the Song dynasty trend depicted in "Serenade of Peaceful Joy" and "Palace of Devotion" failed to gain momentum. The only drama that consistently dominates the screen is "The Story of Ming Lan", which, although drawing references from Song Dynasty costumes and artifacts, is still a "Song-like drama" with a blurred portrayal of the historical era. Currently, the creation of Song Dynasty dramas is still on the rise, and it is expected to reach a small peak in the next two years. Firstly, the adaptation of "Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival" into a drama has received close attention, with Zhang Songwen leading the cast. This has also brought a wave of popularity to "Along the River During the Qingming Festival". It tells the story of Zhao Buyou, a minor official in the Xuanhe period of the Northern Song Dynasty, and his family's involvement in solving numerous extraordinary cases. Filming began in October last year and is still in progress. Another drama set in the background of Emperor Renzong's reign in the…

Traditional Chinese painting has a long history, and classic heirloom paintings not only give us an idea of how the ancients lived, but some hanfu styles are even inspired by ancient paintings. The paintings we are going to learn about today have even been "printed" directly on the Chinese hanfu costumes. The traditional style of the hanfu combined with the retro tones of the paintings, makes a difference.   A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains The painting "A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains (千里江山图)", now collected in the Palace Museum in Beijing, is one of the ten most famous Chinese paintings, the work of Wang Ximeng of the Song Dynasty. He was only 18 years old when this painting was completed. Wang Ximeng's "A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains," 51.5 cm wide and 1,191.5 cm long, is painting on silk in green and blue, lavish in its elegance, combining the majesty of a thousand miles of rivers and mountains with the smoky atmosphere of life. There are not only magnificent mountains and rocks in the whole work, but also inhabitants on the riverside, who are either moored or working, adding dynamic beauty to the painting. The whole…

Ancient paintings are one of the most important ways to explore the ancient traditional Hanfu, and the Hanfu styles in some classic famous paintings are even more popular among Hanfu enthusiasts. The charm of the Wei and Jin dynasties, the gracefulness of the Tang Dynasty, the elegance of the Song Dynasty, just flow into reality from ancient paintings. Today, take a look at those restored Hanfu costumes from ancient paintings!   Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk (Dao Lian Tu, 捣练圖) shows women at work pounding, weaving, ironing and sewing, and is an important custom painting of the Tang Dynasty. The women in the painting are voluptuous and dressed in various colors of Qixiong dresses, if looking closely, you can see that the fabric is decorated with colorful patterns, mainly with Tuan Hua (团花). At present, there are some restored Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk hanfu, which can be said to be very nicely restored in color and pattern, fresh, natural and antique style.   A Palace Concert A Palace Concert (Tang Ren Gong Le Tu, 唐人宫乐图) depicts the life of court lady at a banquet during the late Tang Dynasty. Around the…

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…

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…

In the feudal society of ancient China, men were often valued over women. Women often become the vassal of men, and they have no chance to realize themselves. But in the history of China, did all dynasties really value men over women? In fact, it was different from the Song Dynasty. In the Song Dynasty, most ordinary families like to have daughters. If they are boys, they may be abandoned by their parents. Song Dynasty was the heyday of economic and cultural development in ancient feudal society in China. How was the dominant position of women in society affected by the economic culture of the Song Dynasty? The advantages of daughters in Song Dynasty: 1) Women in Song Dynasty had the right of inheritance as men, and played an irreplaceable role in the entertainment industry and textile handicraft industry; 2) Politically, there were as many as five empress dowagers in power in Song Dynasty; 3) In the Song Dynasty, women’s dowry was very rich when they got married, and women’s remarriage in the Song Dynasty was not discriminated against. Why did the Song Dynasty place so much emphasis on women than men? 1) An enlightened ethos of the times The…