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Moonlit Memories: Preschoolers Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival in Style In the quaint town of Chenqiao, Jiangsu Province, a heartwarming scene unfolded as the Mid-Autumn Festival approached. The local community came together to organize an enchanting event that blended age-old traditions with youthful enthusiasm, creating a magical experience for the town's youngest residents. The "Our Festival · Mid-Autumn Festival" event, jointly organized by various local institutions and the Wulishu Kindergarten, was more than just a celebration - it was a bridge connecting China's rich past with its vibrant future. As the children gathered, dressed in miniature hanfu and clutching handmade rabbit lanterns, they embodied the harmonious coexistence of tradition and modernity that defines contemporary China. The event kicked off with young party member volunteers weaving tales of the Mid-Autumn Festival's origins. Through a tapestry of stories, rhymes, and vivid imagery, they transported the children back in time, unraveling the mysteries of this ancient celebration. From moon-gazing to lantern riddles, the volunteers painted a vivid picture of traditional customs, instilling in the young minds a deep appreciation for their cultural heritage. But the real magic began when theory turned to practice. The DIY lantern-making session saw tiny hands busily at work, guided by…

From Classrooms to Weddings: Hanfu's Growing Presence in Everyday Life As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, a fascinating trend is sweeping across China - the rising popularity of hanfu, traditional Chinese clothing. This resurgence is more than just a fashion statement; it's a cultural phenomenon that's reshaping how modern Chinese, especially the younger generation, connect with their heritage. In recent years, hanfu has transcended its historical confines to become a vibrant part of contemporary Chinese life. From school performances and holiday photo-ops to Chinese-style weddings, the elegant silhouettes of hanfu are increasingly visible in everyday scenarios. This trend reflects a deeper shift in Chinese society - a growing appreciation for traditional culture and a burgeoning sense of cultural confidence among the youth. The numbers tell a compelling story. Some hanfu stores report a four to five-fold increase in customers, with students making up the majority of this surge. This isn't just a local phenomenon; the popularity of hanfu, particularly styles like the horse-face skirt, has even caught international attention. Li Fangguo (李方国), owner of a hanfu experience store, offers insight into this trend. His shop boasts over 500 sets of hanfu, ranging from styles of the Wei-Jin period to the Qing dynasty.…

Nowadays, the Mamian skirt is increasingly integrated into our sight and life. Under such a trend, many people are eager to own their desired Mamian skirt. Let's follow Hanfu Shidai and take a look at the details to consider during the process of selecting and styling a Mamian skirt. 1 - Selection Stage Step 1: Size Firstly, choosing the right size that fits the body curves is crucial for the perfect outfit. Like a suit, a Mamian skirt can be chosen according to a size chart or customized. Whether you are selecting from a size chart or opting for customization, the main standards to measure are height, waist, and hips. These measurements will influence the choice of skirt length, waist length, and sweep circumference. If we choose to shop online, sellers often provide a size chart for customers to make their selection. By comparing the chart, you can choose according to your size information. If opting for customization, you can first provide the seller with your waist, hip, and height information for reference. Then, based on your needs, negotiate with the tailor to decide the width of the skirt door, the length of the skirt waist, and the skirt length. Generally,…

Set against the backdrop of the Ming Dynasty, Under the Moonlight (锦囊妙录) is poised to be the next big hit in the realm of historical mystery dramas. Slated for a prime-time premiere on CCTV-8 starting January 14, with exclusive streaming on Youku, this series promises to deliver a captivating mix of suspense, romance, and cultural richness. With its intricate storytelling, visually stunning aesthetics, and deep dive into Ming Dynasty folklore, the show is set to captivate audiences across North America, Southeast Asia, and the broader English-speaking world. A Tale of Intrigue and Romance At the heart of Under the Moonlight lies the compelling partnership between Luo Shu (罗疏), a determined woman fighting against her tragic fate, and Qi Menglin (齐梦麟), a free-spirited young man eager to carve his own path in the world. Together, they form an unlikely detective duo, navigating a series of baffling cases that test their wits and resolve. Each case they tackle reveals not only the complexities of human nature but also the societal injustices of the era, particularly those faced by women. As they unravel one mystery after another, their bond deepens, blending professional camaraderie with budding romance. However, their journey is far from straightforward.…

In the crowded landscape of Chinese fantasy dramas, Moonlight Mystique (白月梵星) has managed to carve out a unique space for itself. While some viewers have likened it to a "patchwork xianxia," drawing parallels to familiar tropes from other series, the show’s strength lies in its execution. With a tightly woven plot, well-developed characters, and a richly layered world, Moonlight Mystique transcends its genre conventions to deliver a compelling narrative that keeps audiences hooked. A Tale of Mortals, Gods, and Demons Adapted from Xing Ling’s (星零) novel Bai Shuo Shang Shen (白烁上神), Moonlight Mystique is set in a world where the gods have fallen, leaving mortals, demons, and immortals to navigate a fragile balance of power. The story follows Bai Shuo (白烁), the daughter of a city lord, who dreams of ascending to immortality to repay a childhood debt of gratitude. Her path crosses with Fan Yue (梵樾), the enigmatic Demon King of the Extreme Realm, who is on a quest to unlock the power of the Wunian Stone—a mystical artifact that requires the collection of five emotions: love, hate, killing, greed, and kindness. Bai Shuo inadvertently absorbs the Wunian Stone, intertwining her fate with Fan Yue’s. While Fan Yue seeks…

In the ever-evolving landscape of Chinese television dramas, Love of the Divine Tree (仙台有树) has emerged as a standout production, blending ancient fantasy with emotional depth. This highly anticipated series premiered with six episodes, instantly captivating audiences and dominating online discussions. Directed by Yin Tao (尹涛) and penned by Liu Fang (刘芳), the show promises a rich narrative tapestry, brought to life by a talented cast led by the rising star Deng Wei. A Tale of Master and Disciple At its core, Love of the Divine Tree explores the intricate relationship between a master and disciple, set against a backdrop of mystical realms and moral dilemmas. The series follows the journey of Su Yishui (苏易水), a complex character portrayed by Deng Wei (邓为), whose nuanced performance has already garnered widespread acclaim. From the moment he graces the screen in a flowing white robe amidst a snowy bamboo forest, Deng embodies the essence of a celestial cultivator—restrained, enigmatic, and deeply introspective. The show’s premise revolves around the concept of "switching roles," where the boundaries between teacher and student blur, leading to profound personal growth and unexpected alliances. This dynamic is further enriched by the show’s lush visuals and intricate world-building, which…

Peony Perfume Persists: The New Frontier of Scented Garments In the heart of China's Shandong province, a quiet revolution is taking place. The ancient city of Heze (菏泽), long renowned for its peonies, is now at the forefront of a technological breakthrough that's set to redefine the intersection of tradition and innovation in the world of fashion. At a recent women's handicraft exhibition, all eyes were drawn to an extraordinary display from Cao County, Heze. The star of the show? A skirt that seemed to bridge centuries, combining the timeless elegance of traditional Chinese hanfu with cutting-edge textile technology. This wasn't just any skirt - it was a garment woven from peony fibers, infused with a fragrance that could last for two years. Yao Chihang, the visionary behind the "Luo Ruyan" hanfu brand, beamed with pride as she explained the intricate process behind this marvel. "We've developed a new technique to extract fibers from peonies," she revealed. "During the weaving process, we embed the peony fragrance into the fabric itself, ensuring the scent remains for at least two years." This innovation isn't just a novelty; it's a testament to the potential of merging ancient craftsmanship with modern technology. The skirt itself…

From Niche to Billions: The Explosive Growth of Hanfu Industry In the heart of bustling Shanghai, amidst the gleaming skyscrapers and neon lights, a curious sight unfolds. A group of young professionals, dressed not in Western suits or casual wear, but in flowing robes with wide sleeves and intricate embroidery, make their way through a high-tech office park. This is not a historical reenactment or a costume party - it's a typical workday in 2024 China, where the ancient meets the ultramodern in a phenomenon known as the "Hanfu Renaissance." The resurgence of Hanfu, the traditional clothing of the Han Chinese, is more than just a fashion trend. It represents a seismic shift in cultural identity, economic opportunity, and national pride that is reshaping the landscape of modern China. What began as a niche interest among history enthusiasts has exploded into a multi-billion yuan industry, with ripple effects touching everything from tourism to technology. In 2023, the Hanfu market in China reached a staggering 14.47 billion yuan (approximately $2.24 billion USD), with projections suggesting it could nearly double to 24.18 billion yuan by 2027. This growth is not just in sales figures - the number of Hanfu-related businesses registered in…

Reviving Heritage: Caoxian's Journey to Cultural Prominence In the bustling districts of Caoxian, Shandong Province, a quiet revolution is underway, fueled by the resurgence of traditional Hanfu clothing. What was once a niche interest has blossomed into a booming industry that not only revitalizes cultural pride but also drives economic growth. This transformation is emblematic of Caoxian's innovative approach to integrating heritage with modern entrepreneurship, paving the way for sustainable development in rural China. From Tradition to Trend: The Hanfu Renaissance in Caoxian The story begins with the humble origins of Hanfu, ancient Chinese attire revived to captivate a new generation. Caoxian, historically renowned for its cultural richness, has become a nucleus for Hanfu production, drawing on centuries-old craftsmanship to meet contemporary demands. This resurgence has not only preserved traditional textile techniques but also introduced innovations like lightweight fabrics and modern designs, appealing to a diverse demographic across China and beyond. Cultural Confidence Driving Economic Expansion The success of Caoxian's Hanfu industry is not just about fashion; it's a testament to cultural confidence. As the market for Hanfu expands exponentially, local entrepreneurs are leveraging this cultural resurgence to propel economic growth. The shift from seasonal to year-round production has bolstered…

2021 can be considered a prolific year for Chinese hanfu costume related programs. In addition to the familiar Henan TV, which presents a wonderful tour series on the occasion of Chinese traditional festivals, there are also a number of hanfu programs based on Chinese hanfu, traditional dance, and traditional sports events. This article sorts out these programs for you and will continue to update the latest ones. In chronological order by program broadcast.   2022 24节气系列 · 24 Solar Terms   2022 端午奇妙游 · The Marvelous Tour of the Dragon Boat Festival Broadcast time: June 2, 2022 Type: Gala Duration: 56 minutes https://youtu.be/-qtMsHX86x8 2022 The Marvelous Tour of the Dragon Boat Festival is a Duanwu Festival program produced by Henan TV and co-produced by Youku. The program tells the multiple origins of the Dragon Boat Festival by expanding from the commemorating Qu Yuan to knowledge about astrology and solar terms.   2022 元宵奇妙游 · Lantern Festival Wonderful Tour Broadcast time: February 14, 2022 Type: Gala Duration: 52 minutes https://youtu.be/nnVdmtrbNLo "Lantern Festival Wonderful Tour" is a series of "Chinese Festivals" produced by Henan TV and co-produced by Youku. Through 3 chapters, the audience can feel the hope of "Yuan", the romance of…

The history of Chinese women's make-up is very long. After the rotation of dynasties, the traditional Chinese makeup has changed with the development of the times, reflecting the changes in customs and thoughts in each era. We will prepare a series of articles to introduce traditional Chinese makeup.   Ancient traditional Chinese makeup Throughout the ages, women have different ways and methods to make themselves more beautiful. Compared with the modern, ancient women are more conservative and implicit, but they also have their own set of "secret weapons". As early as in the cultural relics unearthed in the Warring States period, it can be seen from them that at that time, women had the habit of thrushing and use rouge. That is to say, more than 2000 years ago in China, cosmetics had appeared. Of course, ancient China was an agricultural society, always in a state of self-sufficiency, and cosmetics were no exception. At that time, cosmetics were mainly made of pure natural plant and animal oils, and some natural spices were added. The general production process includes boiling, fermentation, filtration, etc. compared with the modern cosmetics production process, it is still relatively simple. Therefore, compared with modern women, ancient…

Ming Dynasty Hanfu clothing refers to the clothing system in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, inherited the costume style of Zhou, Han, Tang, and Song Dynasties and re-established the costume system in order to rebuild the national pride and etiquette and remove the influence of ethnic minorities. In the middle and later period of the Ming Dynasty, there were some new styles, such as stand collar, and a large number of buttons were used in the conspicuous part of a garment. It was gradually banned during the Qing Dynasty, but there are still a few styles and features that have been handed down to this day.   The characteristics of Hanfu in the Ming dynasty In the Ming Dynasty, a series of measures were taken to develop production, which made the industry and commerce develop continuously, and the production technology of each industry has improved. After the rise of the citizen class, the aesthetic interest has become the aesthetic orientation of the general dress in the Ming Dynasty. "Secularization" of the aesthetic and cultural sources and a relatively general, casual, and loose historical and cultural environment.…

Last Friday 3/17 I was invited to a local Chinese school to give a small talk on hanfu! The aim was to share hanfu culture with more people here and to present an example to the kids of what doors can be opened to you by maintaining language skills. A little background—I myself attended this once-a-week school from kindergarten up until 6th grade, upon which I pulled out of the school to invite the Chinese teacher that taught me in 6th grade to tutor me at home privately. She was a great tutor and a key part of inspiring my interest in ancient Chinese culture through poetry, history, and more, keeping me engaged while analyzing Tang Dynasty shi and Song Dynasty ci. As I got busy, I stopped the tutoring when I was in 10th grade—and I was introduced to the concept of hanfu not even a few months later! I’ve kept up communication with this teacher for a while (whose name I won’t disclose for privacy reasons) and visited her in Taiwan throughout the years. This year she came back to teach at the local chinese school and invited me to give a talk on hanfu there. For the…

I made my first real Hanfu based on patterns from this website. First outing at the beach, with dragons and all. Here is an article with much details on my sewing journey.

Wearing armor, riding a horse, holding a traditional weapon, fighting on the battlefield. Such a scene may have appeared in the dreams of many people when they were young. But there is a person who turned the traditional Chinese armor in the dream into reality, he is the first person to restore the ancient armor of the Tang and Song dynasties, Wen Chenhua (温陈华). He has highly restoration the armor of the Song dynasty, which has been lost in China for 700 years, after 6 years. He founded the Lian Kai Tang (炼铠堂), and with his own strength, he promoted the obscure armor restoration craft, and let Chinese armor on the world-class combat stage.   #01 The first person in traditional Chinese armor restoration There are only about 1000 armor restorers in China, 90% of them are Wen Chenhua's students, and for 40 years, he has been restoring Jiazhou (甲胄, traditional Chinese armor) to the extreme. On Wen Chenhua's social platforms profile, there is only a simple sentence "Top Chinese Jiazhou maker" as an introduction. However, he has shared a lot of armor design drawings and finished armor photos, all revealing his deep love for Jiazhou. Traditional armor restoration and…

On December 4th, the Chinese Spring Festival was officially added to the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. As one of the world's oldest and most significant celebrations, the Spring Festival reflects the deep-rooted values of family, unity, and harmony with nature. Its recognition by UNESCO signifies not only the global appreciation of this tradition but also highlights the universal values embedded within the festival that resonate with people across cultures. Through the Chinese New Year, China's rich heritage and cultural vitality are being shared with the world, fostering mutual understanding and respect among diverse peoples. The Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional festival in China. It is deeply rooted in the lives of the people, marking a new beginning and symbolizing new hope. According to the conventional Lunar calendar, the first day of the Chinese New Year means not only the start of a new year but also the collective desire for a new beginning—full of peace, prosperity, and happiness. Leading up to the festival, families clean their homes, hang spring couplets, prepare festive meals, and visit their ancestors' graves. These rituals connect the living to their heritage, reinforcing the importance of family…

On December 4th, the UNESCO Committee officially added the "Spring Festival – The Social Practice of Celebrating the Traditional Chinese New Year" to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This monumental inclusion highlights the global significance of Chinese New Year, not only as a festive occasion but as a vital cultural practice with deep historical roots. Among the newly listed elements are some of Jiangsu province's most cherished cultural treasures: Nanjing's Qinhuai Lantern Festival (南京秦淮灯会), Suzhou's Taohuawu Woodblock New Year Prints (苏州桃花坞木版年画), and Wuxi's Taibo Temple Fair (无锡泰伯庙). For those who may not be familiar with these cultural gems, they are now being recognized as crucial expressions of Chinese identity and tradition. This recognition affirms the province's profound contribution to the country's cultural heritage, further solidifying Jiangsu's status as an artistic powerhouse. With this addition, Jiangsu now boasts a total of 14 UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritages, more than any other province in China. Nanjing's Qinhuai Lantern Festival When one thinks of Nanjing during the Spring Festival, it's hard to ignore the dazzling spectacle of the Qinhuai Lantern Festival. A historical tradition that stretches back to the Southern Dynasties, the lantern festival has been a hallmark of…

The Mid-Autumn Festival is often synonymous with moon-gazing, family gatherings, and mooncakes. However, in ancient times, this festival was far more than just an evening dedicated to the moon. What if the skies were overcast, and the full moon hidden? How did the people of the past still manage to celebrate? Even in the absence of a visible moon, their festivities were rich and varied, showcasing traditions and customs beyond simply admiring the celestial body. Moonless Festivities: Celebrating Togetherness A traditional painting from the Qing Dynasty, titled The Auspicious Mid-Autumn (中秋佳瑞图), provides a glimpse into how ancient people celebrated this festival. Interestingly, the moon is not depicted in the artwork, yet the scene is filled with symbols of unity and joy. Fruits such as pomegranates, melons, and lotus roots are prominently featured, representing family harmony and prosperity. Even in the absence of the moon, people would gather to enjoy each other’s company, marking the occasion with wishes for happiness, fertility, and abundance. The essence of the festival lay not only in viewing the moon but in its deeper cultural significance, centered around family reunions and expressions of good fortune. The “Four Auspicious Trees” – the parasol tree and osmanthus tree,…