Historical Cdramas like 'Qing Ping Yue' and 'Da Feng Da Geng Ren' have showcased authentic children's hairstyles, moving away from the trend of simply shrinking adult styles. This shift highlights that ancient Chinese children, much like their modern counterparts, had their own distinctive looks tailored to their age.
Previously, it was common to see ten-year-olds in period dramas styled as miniature adults—boys with tied-up hair and crowns, girls with elaborate buns and hairpins. However, this portrayal is historically inaccurate. In ancient China, adulthood was marked by ceremonies: the Ji Ji Li (及笄礼) for girls around age 15 and the Ruo Guan Li (弱冠礼) for boys around 20. Before these rites, hairstyle options were limited, with the most common being the 'Zong Jiao' (总角), or 'horned hair'.
Zong Jiao: A Broad Term
Zong Jiao is a broad term referring to the hairstyles of children aged 7 to 15. This period was poetically called the 'Zong Jiao Years,' and childhood friendships were termed 'Zong Jiao friendships.' The 'Jiao' refers to small topknots, specifically the hair tied on either side of a child's head, distinct from the loose 'Chui Tiao' (垂髫) of early childhood or the formal buns of adults.
Narrow Definition of Zong Jiao
Narrowly, Zong Jiao describes the topknots themselves, also known as 'Ya Ji' (丫髻) or 'double-horned buns.' These could be styled in two ways: twisted into horn-like shapes or looped into rings. The term 'Ya Tou' (丫头), still used today to affectionately refer to little girls, originates from these twin buns resembling tree branches. Before adulthood, girls were also called 'Dou Kou' (豆蔻) or 'Jin Chai' (金钗), hence the phrase 'Dou Kou Nian Hua' (豆蔻年华), meaning 'teenage years.'
Children's Headwear
Beyond hair accessories, children often wore 'Tong Zi Ze' (童子帻), a type of headscarf for boys before their coming-of-age ceremony. The 'Xu Han Shu' notes these scarves lacked internal structure, symbolizing their pre-adult status. Some interpretations suggest the scarves were soft and hollow, unlike the structured headwear of adults.
Reflection in Art
These traditional styles are vividly captured in 'Ying Xi Tu' (婴戏图), paintings of children at play or mimicking adults. Artists like Su Hanchen (苏汉臣) of the Northern Song Dynasty left renowned works offering glimpses into ancient childhood. Even Japanese dramas, influenced by Chinese culture, feature similar pre-coming-of-age hairstyles, such as looped hair with 'Chui Tiao.'
These historical styles reflect the innocence and playfulness of childhood, far more charming than scaled-down adult looks. So, whether styling hair or taking photos, let children embrace their unique charm—no need to mimic grown-ups! End the year with their warm, childlike smiles.
