How did the Hanfu change per dynasties?

The Hanfu worn in different dynasties, though similar, ranged in its own characteristics based on the dynasty. The article I am writing will hopefully help you understand the similarities and differences between clothing and hanfu throughout the timeline of dynasties. I will also show you how it has changed compared to modern hanfu.

  1. Xia (Hsia) Dynasty ca. 2100-1600 BCE
  2. Shang Dynasty ca. 1600-1050 BCE
  3. Zhou (Chou, pronounced "Joe") Dynasty
  4. 3.1 Western Zhou (ca. 1046-771 BCE)

3.2 Eastern Zhou (ca. 771-256 BCE)

Spring and Autumn Period (770-ca 475 BCE)
Confucius (ca. 551-479 BCE)
Warring States Period (ca. 475-221 BCE)
221-206 BCE

Qin (Ch'in, pronounced "chin") Dynasty/

Capital: Chang'an, present-day Xian
Qin Shihuangdi dies, 210 BCE
206 BCE-220 CE

Han Dynasty

Western/Former Han (206 BCE-9 CE)

Capital: Chang'an (present-day Xian)
Confucianism officially established as basis for Chinese state by Han Wudi (r. 141-86 BCE)

Eastern/Later Han (25-220 CE)

Capital: Luoyang
220-589 CE

Six Dynasties Period
Three Kingdoms (220-265 CE)
Jin Dynasty (265-420 CE)
Period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties (386-589 CE)

Period of disunity and instability following the fall of the Han; Buddhism introduced to China
Cao Wei, Shu Han, Dong Wu
581-618 CE

Sui (pronounced "sway") Dynasty

Capital: Chang'an (present-day Xian)
618-906 CE

Tang Dynasty

Capitals: Chang'an (present-day Xian) and Luoyang
907-960 CE

Five Dynasties Period

960-1279

Song (Sung) Dynasty

Northern Song (960-1127)

Capital: Bianjing (present-day Kaifeng)

Southern Song (1127-1279)

Capital: (present-day Hangzhou)
1279-1368

Yuan Dynasty

The reign of the Mongol empire; Capital: Dadu (present-day Beijing)
1368-1644

Ming Dynasty

Re-establishment of rule by Han ruling house; Capitals: Nanjing and Beijing
1644-1912

Qing (Ch'ing) Dynasty

Reign of the Manchus; Capital: Beijing
1912-1949

Republic Period

Capitals: Beijing, Wuhan, and Nanjing
1949-present

People's Republic of China

Capital: Beijing
Prepared by Dr. Amy Vladeck Heinrich, Director, C.V. Starr East Asian Library, Columbia University, for the Columbia University Project on Asia in the Core Curriculum.

Creative License: The article is the author original, udner (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) Copyright License. Share & Quote this post or content, please Add Link to this Post URL in your page. Respect the original work is the best support for the creator, thank you!
Guest PostHanfu Making

Finding Fabrics: "Thrifted" Hanfu Materials

2025-2-23 2:27:41

Guest PostNews

8 Perfect Gift Choices for Chinese Culture Lovers

2025-2-26 21:09:47

0 Comment(s) A文章作者 M管理员
Comment
    No Comments. Be the first to share what you think!
Profile
Check-in
Message
Search