Traditional Chinese hanfu costumes has been pursued by many young people. The bustling streets and crowded scenic spots are often decorated with people’s figure in hanfu. Some enthusiasts even actively hold activities for traditional cultural communication. Chinese ancient clothing culture has a long history, from the top officials to the common people, there are corresponding clothing requirements according to different social status in ancient China.   I. Classification of Traditional Chinese Hanfu Clothing Ancient Chinese women's hanfu clothing can be divided into three parts: Shou Fu (首服, headwear), Ti Fu (体服, main clothing), and Zu Fu (足服, footwear). Although the styles are varied, they can be generally divided into upper and lower garments or up-and-down-attached style. Before the Western Zhou Dynasty, clothing was mainly upper and lower garments. The upper garment was called "Yi (衣)", and the lower garment was called "Chang (裳)". During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States period, people combined the upper garment and lower garment into one piece of clothing, which was called "Shen Yi (深衣)". "Shenyi" has been the representative clothing of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States period. Many documents have recorded its characteristics. The annotation in The Book of Rites - Shenyi…

The lapel, as an essential component of the cheongsam dress, serves as a critical dividing line in the layout of its style, possessing both functional and ornamental purposes. It complements the collar, buttons, or overlapping pieces in a harmonious manner, thus showcasing the overall beauty of the Qipao. The lapel (Jin, 襟), also known as the opening of the garment, is the unfastening of the Qipao's garment. Changes in the lapel are one of the primary way in which the Qipao's style evolves. Today, let us appreciate the modern styles of Qipao's lapels and savor the charm of Eastern women.   Without Lapel One of the most concise ways of opening a cheongsam is the "Without lapel, 无襟, Wu Jin" style. This kind of lapel style is directly derived from traditional Chinese clothing, appearing dignified and traditional.   Pleated & Without Lapel "Pleated without lapel, 褶皱无襟, Zhezhou & Wu Jin" style adds decorative pleats to the front chest, simple yet sophisticated, enhancing the sense of fashion.   Round Lapel "Round lapel, 圆襟, Yuan Jin" is the most common style of modern cheongsam lapel, with smooth lines from the neckline to the armpits. Depending on the size of the arc, it can…

An increasing number of young people are beginning to experiment with wearing hanfu, these clothing styles, which were widely used in different historical dynasties in ancient China, are now being reintegrated into contemporary life and have become an important part of youth culture.   The Origin of Hanfu Culture: From Niche to Popular Typically, the origin of the modern Hanfu culture is traced back to 2003. On November 22nd of that year, a power worker named Wang Letian from Zhengzhou, Henan, walked into a downtown commercial street wearing hanfu. This event was reported by Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao, making Wang Letian the first modern Chinese person wearing hanfu to appear in public. Wang Letian was introduced to hanfu culture through forums Han Wang, and around 2003, the first hanfu enthusiasts gathered around Han Wang and other online hanfu forums, gradually forming the Hanfu circle. At the same time, some offline Hanfu culture communities began to be established. Around 2011, the subculture of adolescent internet culture rapidly developed. With the successive rise of the Lolita and the JK uniform fashion subculture, as well as the development of the cosplay community, hanfu has found its place among various clothing subcultures and has gained…

Vocab Palace Belt - 宫绦, gōng tāo, is an accessory worn around the waist to prevent dresses from flowing in the wind. It is commonly paired with hanfu for a simplistic look and referred to as such in modern times. Silk Belt - 丝绦, sī tāo. An accessory that ancient Chinese people used to refer to. However, it was not only used as a fashion accessory but also on fans or flutes. Zhiduo - 直裰, zhídāo. A traditional Chinese robe worn by scholars and officials during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It has a straight-cut Mandarin collar without openings and is a formal attire reserved for special occasions. It is worn over long shirts and wide trousers. Tassels - 流苏, liúsū. In ancient China it had different names, such as 穗子 (suìzi), 缨旒 (yīng liú), and 流苏 (liúsū). Nowadays, 流苏 (liúsū) is the most commonly used name for tassels. Silk ribbon- 绶, shòu - the ribbon with a jade or officials seals at the end.   History of Gong Tao The Palace Belt, known as 宫绦 (gōng tāo), is an accessory that dates back to the Warring States Period. It is a long woven rope with tassels attached on both…

Shu embroidery, as the longest-standing embroidery in China, is one of the four famous Chinese embroidery, along with Su embroidery, Xiang embroidery, and Yue embroidery. The hands of Shu embroidery weavers not only hold a precious craft, but also carry thousands of years of reproduction and imagination of flowers, birds, trees, rivers, and nature. Take a look at the history of Shu embroidery and its exquisiteness with Cosmopolitan's interview with Wang Xia, the inheritor of Shu embroidery.   The treasure of Shu embroidery begins at the tip of a needle The art of Shu embroidery, which began with a needlepoint, is a luxury for modern people, it is a craft that has been passed down for over two thousand years. Shu embroidery, with its bright and delicate colors and exquisite needlework, has formed its own unique charm, and its richness ranks first among the four famous embroideries. In fact, the history of Shu embroidery dates back to the Western Han Dynasty. "The industry of female workers, covering the world in clothes," was recorded in the "Book of the Later Han". At that time, the literary writer Yang Xiong described the scene of embroidering silk that could be seen everywhere in…

In 2023, besides mystery dramas "Who Is He", and "The Long Season" regaining their hold on the audience's attention, the tactics and heroic martial arts dramas have also made a comeback with a new style. Recently, "The Ingenious One," led by Chen Xiao and Mao Xiaotong, has rapidly gained popularity. The combination of revenge narrative, martial arts, ingenious reasoning, and commercial warfare has made this costume drama full of suspense and excitement. Many viewers are marveling at the return of the hot-blooded martial arts world that depicts loyalty, heroism, and courage. At the same time, "The Ingenious One" has also made breakthroughs in visual aesthetics, striving to retain the chivalrous charm of traditional martial arts in both appearance and essence. The antique and natural costume and makeup, gorgeous and realistic scenery, delicate and melodious music, and intense martial arts actions have deepened the quality of the drama, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the joy and revenge of the martial arts world with the protagonist team. This drama has aroused the passion of long-hidden martial arts fans and once again sparked discussions about martial arts dramas. "The Ingenious One" is a high-quality drama that attempts to break the emotional idol…

With the evolution of society, modern individuals have a wide variety of hobbies and interests, and so did ancient Chinese people. We have gathered 8 traditional hobbies from ancient China to explore the interesting activities of the past.   Visiting temples In the agricultural society where the means of production were not yet developed, people of all ages and genders revered mysterious powers and often went to temples to seek peace. For instance, in the early days, people worshipped the Chenghuang Temple, which was believed to protect peace in a particular area. During the Tang and Song dynasties, the entertainment activities in temples gradually increased, attracting many ancient people to visit. There were various performances, including acrobatics, singing, and dancing.   Watching performances During the Tang Dynasty, Canjunxi (参军戏) was very popular. Actors dressed up as Canjun, and another actor performed jokes and funny acts. It was similar to how modern young people like to watch crosstalk and stand-up comedy shows. At that time, people could resolve their troubles by watching a "Canjunxi" show.   Collecting figurines "Mo He Le (磨喝乐)" was a beloved toy of young people in ancient times, mainly in the form of a child. According to…

"Back From the Brink" is a youth fantasy Xianxia drama directed by He Shupei, starring Hou Minghao and Zhou Ye, and premiered on May 9th. The drama is adapted from the novel of the same name by Jiulu Feixiang and tells the story of a rebellious female immortal practitioner Yanhui and the "evil dragon" Tianyao. The weight of Xianxia drama in ancient costume dramas is significant. Such works often combine Eastern aesthetics with novel stories, featuring both the ethereal beauty of the world of immortals and the romance of mortal love. Xianxia dramas are easily turned popular as long as the story is captivating and popular actors portray fascinating characters. However, the risk of mixed reviews is also common. Among the upcoming costume dramas, several have generated high expectations. For example, the trailer of "Destined", starring Bai Jingting and Song Yi, has already captivated the audience. "The Longest Promise, starring Xiao Zhan and Ren Min, has also become a hit with hundreds of millions of views on its trailer. Although these highly anticipated dramas have not yet aired, "Back From the Brink", which was just released, is also remarkable. It premiered with five episodes and immediately topped the charts, generating…

"Joy of Life Season 2" began filming on May 10th, and the cast was announced by the production team immediately. As the soul of the entire series, Zhang Ruoyun will play the role of Fan Xian. His portrayal of Fan Xian in the first season was spot-on and left a deep impression on viewers. With a deeper understanding of the character, Zhang Ruoyun's performance in "Joy of Life Season 2" is expected to be even more remarkable. Two very popular actresses, Li Qin, and Song Yi, are also returning for the second season. Li Qin, who had not previously confirmed her participation, has also made a highly anticipated return as Lin Wan'er. Her character will have more screen time and will become Fan Xian's most powerful supporter. Song Yi seems to have resolved her scheduling conflicts and will continue to play Fan Ruoruo, becoming a major support for her brother Fan Xian's career. Chen Daoming, who was previously rumored to have resigned, will also continue to play Emperor of Qing. The stills still have the same spontaneous and unrestrained look. And the confirmed cast members for the second season of "Joy of Life" include Tian Yu, Wu Gang, Gao Shuguang,…

From historical books and museums artifacts to ancient costume dramas, and being widely worn, the steps of hanfu entering the public eye are traceable. Hanfu culture is traditional, but has also become a trend. Nowadays, there are countless young people around the world who love hanfu culture, this is not a form of nostalgia or pilgrimage, but rather hanfu's enduring vitality is due to it being a living history, a living culture, and an enduring fashion. Despite this, Hanfu is still far from our daily lives for many of us. Some people are intimidated by the complex style and impracticality of Hanfu, while others are concerned with the rigorous and strict form of Hanfu, and are afraid to try it. What are the requirements for wearing hanfu? What are the controversies about the form of hanfu? How far are we from the ultimate goal of everyone wearing hanfu? In the form of a Q&A, Harper's Bazaar and hanfu culture enthusiast and promoter Yu Zhu discuss how hanfu can enter the daily lives of every hanfu lover.   The Threshold of Wearing Hanfu Yu Zhu first became aware of hanfu during her student days, from timid photo shoots in the early…

History of Winter Clothing Festival Winter Clothing Festival (寒衣节,  hányī jié), also known as "十月朝, shí yuè cháo," "祭祖节, jì zǔ jié," "冥阴节, míng yīn jié," "鬼头日, guǐ tóu rì," and "秋祭, qiū jì" is a holiday that occurred on October 1st on the lunar calendar. It emerged in the Zhou Dynasty but does not have any physical written records of it until the Song Dynasty.  Winter Clothing Festival goes along with "Qīngmíng Festival (清明节)" and "Zhōng yuán Festival (中元节)" and get categorized as the top three "Ghost Festivals" in China. The reason is because the three festivals all focused on the living paying their respects and providing their sacrifice offerings to their ancestors on that day. While Winter Clothing Festival Is grouped under the top three Ghost Festival, it is the festival among the others that have the least presence. The other two have a strong focus on people going grave sweeping or doing something unique for this festival, but Winter Clothing Festival it’s more about people expressing the idea of; "The weather is cooling. Winter is approaching soon. We need to start sewing up warm and thick outfits for winter." If you look at China’s cultural belief development,…

Cultivating crops and felling bamboo, crafting clothing, and refining silver, his every movement embodies the simplicity and purity of ancient times, like the ancient Chinese lifestyles. He achieves self-sufficiency in materials and mastery of skills, by reviving traditional crafts and cuisine, completely captivating the modern individual accustomed to advanced technology. "Feel the charm of traditional culture from the perspective of the ancients, and write the words of history as a vivid picture", in this article we'll introduce Lu Lei to you, learn to feel the wisdom of the ancients while experiencing the leisurely idyllic life. Lu Lei seems to have traveled from ancient times, dressed in traditional Hanfu clothing, with long hair and a headband, living in seclusion in a remote village in Fujian. He tends to a few acres of flower fields, keeping company with cats and dogs, living a leisurely and carefree life.   Intangible Cultural Heritage in Ancient Chinese Lifestyles Everlasting Flower Next to the trickling stream, cut down a straight rice-paper plant, remove the branches and leaves, extract the core, and with superb knife skills, peel them into thin sheets of paper. After trimming petals of various sizes, they undergo processes such as moistening, shaping, gluing, and drying,…

The revival of traditional clothing has become increasingly popular in recent years, with more people seeking to explore cultural heritage. Among the many aspects of Chinese culture enjoying renewed interest is the traditional dress known as hanfu. While the Tang and Ming dynasties' hanfu have been the most prevalent, but the hanfu of the Yuan Dynasty is also worth knowing. In this article, Hanfu Shidai will take us through the history of Hanfu during the Yuan Dynasty and examine its distinctive features. Firstly, prior to the Qing dynasty's implementation of the "shave hair and change clothes" policy, the traditional dress system of the Han people had been continuously inherited and developed without interruption. Although the Yuan dynasty was a period of Mongolian rule, the rulers at that time did not forcibly change the mainstream Han culture, and the Han clothing system naturally continued to be inherited. Secondly, the often mentioned "Tang-style", "Song-style", and "Ming-style" are modern-day conveniences adopted to associate with corresponding relics. They are also due to the long duration of these dynasties, which formed typical styles and designs. For example, during the Song dynasty, simplicity was valued, and the simple and elegant long Beizi became popular. In the…

On May 1st, "The Ingenious One" starring Chen Xiao and Rachel Momo, with Li Liying as the executive producer, Liang Zhenhua as the chief screenwriter and executive producer, and directed by You Dazhi, was launched as scheduled. Amidst the glimmer of blades and swords, the laughter and discussions of strategies, many spectators' dreams of the rivers and lakes were awakened, and their thirst for martial arts was quenched. Since the start of filming, "The Ingenious One" has been highly anticipated by both the industry and the public. Fans are curious to see the chemistry between Chen Xiao and Rachel Momo in ancient costume dramas, as well as the collective appearance of veteran actors such as Wang Jinsong, Hui Yinghong, and Qin Lan. How will the theme of "martial arts and tactics" be woven into the plot? The drama "The Ingenious One" not only has thrilling fight scenes and tightly woven intellectual battles, but also many other rich flavors, such as the satisfying feeling of fighting against evil, the amusing infiltration of personality, and the hidden modern logic of business warfare. The fusion of many elements makes it difficult to describe "The Ingenious One" as a simple new martial arts drama. However,…

At various Chinese festive events, the beautiful and elegant Chinese knots often appear as important decorations. As a traditional Chinese handicraft, it originated from knotting for record-keeping and has been widely used in daily life since then. To know more about Chinese knots, one must understand Basic Knots, which are the smallest units that can be combined and varied to create complex knot patterns, and they are the basic knotting method used in making Chinese knot art. Complex variations and combinations of these basic knots can be created through the use of these fundamental knots. This article will primarily focus on the forms and meanings of 12 basic Chinese knots.   Flat Knot The flat knot is an ancient and simple knot that can be made by winding one end of a line around the other line, with the later one being the axle. This knot can also be made with only one line by winding around an object to form a knot. Flat knots, while simple in appearance, are flat and easy to undo, which makes them widely used in daily life. They can be used to tie things together or to make bracelets, hanging chains, and other decorations,…

Thousands of years of Eastern civilization, aesthetics, anecdotes, and legends, as well as ingenuity and divine skills collected between the lines, have traveled through time and space and come before us. While artifacts have no voice, traditional motifs burst out with color: Floral, flying crane, white egret, dragon and phoenix, plum blossom, and persimmon calyx motifs. Unfortunately, due to limitations in craftsmanship and inheritance, many motifs are gradually disappearing or being ignored. The Team Wen Zang (纹藏) has long been dedicated to translating Chinese traditional motifs. With love and exploration, more than 60 team members have designed and recreated thousands of motif data texts throughout more than 1000 days and nights, compiling them in the book, "The Motifs of The Imperial Palace", to allow more people to see and remember the motifs of the Forbidden City. Selected from among millions of cultural relics, classified into five major mediums -- woven embroidery, porcelain, tapestries, enamelware, and architecture -- the book selects and features 117 of the most classic and beautiful motifs, providing a 5000-year visual feast. The Team Wen Zang has long been dedicated to translating traditional Chinese motifs. With love and exploration, more than 60 team members have designed and…

The popular Xianxia drama "Till The End Of The Moon" has adopted a large number of Dunhuang styles in costumes and makeup, which is different from conventional dramas. In addition to receiving a lot of praise, it has also made more people aware of and started to like Dunhuang costumes. As for the modern art form that integrates with the Dunhuang style, there has long been one. "Silk Road Flower Rain" is a famous Chinese ethnic dance drama, which is created based on the Silk Road and Dunhuang murals. Since its birth in 1979, it has been continuously performed, keeping up with the times, and enjoying a great reputation. The dance drama takes Dunhuang as its main theme, and the dance costumes have a strong Dunhuang style. Moreover, the dance "Thousand-Hand Guanyin" at the 2005 China Spring Festival Gala received rave reviews, which is also in Dunhuang style. The artistic expression of Dunhuang themes is very popular among audiences, and there are also many Dunhuang-style dances and costumes in some dance variety shows. Naturally, Dunhuang-style Hanfu has also been very popular among consumers. If you have been paying attention to Hanfu, you must be familiar with Dunhuang costumes, but are…

In the context of the Chinese language, "Ling Luo Chou Duan" usually refers to various exquisite silk fabrics. However, there are many types of ancient Chinese fabrics, and "Ling Luo Chou Duan" cannot cover them all. This article will briefly introduce how to identify various Chinese ancient hanfu fabrics such as "yarn, silk, brocade, velvet", and so on. However, it should be noted that the names of each textile organization in different dynasties are not exactly the same. They have also developed over time, so this is just a general explanation to give everyone a simple impression.   Structure of Ancient Chinese Fabrics The common structures in Chinese fabrics are needed to determine the relationship between each yarn, which is the pattern of overlapping warp and weft yarns in the fabric. There are five common types of structures, which are also known as San Yuan structures. Ping Wen Structure Ping Wen structure (plain weave) is woven with the warp and weft threads alternating over and under each other. Plain weave fabrics are durable and resistant to wear, but have less elasticity and a lower sheen. If you touch it, you will find that the feel is hard, but relatively thin.…

Chinese civilization is one of the oldest and longest-lasting civilizations in the world. As an ancient country with a brilliant civilization, countless legendary people and events have been a part of its long history, forming China's unique historical culture. This article will introduce you to a wonderful documentary series called "China". China - Season 1 Director: Li Dongshen / Zhou Yan / Fu Yongqiang Screenplay: Deng Jianyong Starring: He Jiong / Wang Han / Zhou Tao Release Date: 2020-12-07 "China" is a humanistic and historical documentary series produced by Hunan TV, Mango TV, and Beijing Bojing Culture. It portrays the people and stories of ancient Chinese civilization that have had the most profound impact on today's Chinese society, and is an absolute must-see for history enthusiasts. With a first-class audiovisual experience that surpasses movies, it took five years to produce and boasts a dream team of behind-the-scenes staff. Director Li Dongshen's team has previously produced two highly acclaimed documentary series, "Hexi Corridor" and "Rebirth." This time, he worked with the screenwriter of "The Rise of the Great Powers," Zhou Yan, as co-directors. In addition, stars such as Wang Han, and He Jiong portray historical figures in the series. Photography is…

The traditional colors of China are an indispensable part of Chinese culture. These colors are not just simple visual elements, but also carry rich cultural connotations and historical backgrounds. In traditional Chinese culture, each color has its unique symbolic meaning, and is closely related and complementary to many aspects. From architecture, clothing to painting, calligraphy, and even daily etiquette and festival activities, these traditional colors have been widely used and have become an essential element of Chinese culture. This article will explore the cultural connotations contained in traditional Chinese colors and their expressions in various fields.   01 What are traditional Chinese colors? When it comes to colors, we naturally think of specific colors such as red, yellow, blue, and green, each with a fixed number. But when we look at traditional Chinese colors, we see names such as "Xuan (玄)", "Xun (纁)", "Piao (缥)", "Qing Dai (青黛)", etc. If there is no special color card, I believe that most people will be confused when they see these color names. In fact, this is due to the different color order regulations between the East and the West. Western color culture pays more attention to physical properties and scientific theories, and…