Mount Song, along the southern bank of the Yellow River, that is known as the central mountain of the Five Great Mountains of China. Incense drifting through ancient cedars, saffron-robed monks, limbs a blur of movement, making quick work of imagined enemies. The boing of a giant bronze bell calling the faithful to prayer. This is the scene at the fabled Shaolin Temple, a cradle of Kungfu and Zen Buddhism nestled in the forests of Henan province, where legend has it monks have trained in martial arts for centuries. Nowadays, the Shaolin has become a successful brand, and one of the most famous scenic spots in China, attracting more than 10 million tourists a year, according to the China Business Journal. Why is Shaolin so popular? Let's through an interview with the chair of Shaolin Temple, unveil its rapid development in the past 30 years. Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin | Shaolin's High Priest Shi Yongxin, originally named Liu Yingcheng, was born into a family in Anhui Province in 1965. In 1981, he made his way to Shaolin Temple at age 17. There he converted to the Three Jewels and received the Dharma name Yongxin under the discipleship of Former Abbot…

It might not be the first time you've heard of Hanfu (汉服). This kind of traditional Chinese costume has been discussed by media around the world frequently. More and more Hanfu events are being held, and more and more people are trying to wear traditional costumes. When browsing social media, you can often see beautiful pictures of Hanfu dresses. Even many people have incorporated them into their daily life. What types of groups are fancy in Hanfu? What are their original intentions of buying and wearing Hanfu? What attractiveness does Hanfu suit have? and more... This new report will introduce to you the current environment of Hanfu in several aspects. I. The Overall Situation of Hanfu Rapid Development of Hanfu Industry The revival of Hanfu culture began in 2003. An electric worker named Wang Letian walked with Hanfu on the street to promote it. This was the first person who wear Hanfu in the public. Currently, there are more than 1300 Hanfu cultural associations in the world in 2017, and there are more than 2000 in 2019, an increase of 46% can be seen in these two years. In China, there are more than 2 million consumers in the Hanfu…

Hanfu wedding, refers to wearing the traditional costume of the Han nationality: "Hanfu", with "Shi Hun Li (Shi Hun Li is the earliest record of the wedding system of China.)" as the prototype, held in line with modern aesthetic taste and etiquette recognition of the traditional wedding of the Han nationality. Let's enjoy the beautiful Chinese traditional wedding dress together. When modern people restore the traditional Han wedding, they can roughly sum it up into : Zhou wedding represented by the pre-Qin and Han Dynasties; Tang wedding represented by the Wei, Jin and Tang Dynasties; Ming wedding represented by the Song and Ming Dynasties. The traditional Chinese wedding ceremony is generally divided into three parts: pre-wedding ceremony; formal wedding ceremony; post wedding ceremony. More about the history of Hanfu wedding & the history of Hanfu wedding dress:

The beauty of Chinese hanfu is varied and charming. Foreign students studying in China have more opportunities to get in touch with Hanfu. Guangdong University of Foreign Studies' overseas students wear Hanfu and appreciate the beauty of Chinese traditional culture. Learning the Knowledge of Etiquette and Music Lakeside Scenery Record Unforgettable Moments It is hoped that such activities will be held regularly so that more people can experience the charm of Chinese Hanfu~

The cheongsam (literally, long shirt/dress), also known as Qipao or Mandarin Gown, was a type of feminine body-hugging dress with Manchu and Western elements. It was first used as the uniform of Shanhai girl schools at the time of the Republic of China period (1911-1949). Back then, it was very popular for representing the images of new era knowledge females. Cheongsams led a fashion trend for a long time during the Republic of China period. After the sovereignty was transferred to the People’s Republic of China (1949), Cheongsams had been forbidden as they were a sign of bourgeoisie. It was until the conduct of the Reform and Opening policy in the 1980s that Qipaos being prevalent again. Nowadays, Qipaos have gained more and more attention with a great number of local and international designers involved. History When it comes to modern Qipao’s origins, there are 3 mainstream claims. The first claim suggests that modern Qipao is only the evolutionary style of Manchu’s clothing. The second claim says western elements affect a lot on modern Qipao designs. The last claim supposes that ancient Chinese clothing plays an important role as well. 1. Qipao with Manchu Speaking of the history of Cheongsams, the…

The new season of figure skating from 2019 to 2020 is approaching. Although most of the players'new season songs have been released, there are still some top players whose programs are still kept secret. Sui Wenjing, a Chinese skater, recently uploaded a video of her skating in traditional hanfu on her social account. In the video, Sui Wenjing, dressed in hanfu, covered with light yarn, has a wonderful posture. It's different from all the games and performances in the past. It really has a different style.  In releasing this video, Sui Wenjing also wrote that this is a relatively complete version of "Hanfu on the Ice rink" which she and her companions had been polishing for a long time. In fact, after the World Championship in March this year, Sui Wenjing posted her experimental attempt to put on ice in her Hanfu on her social account. In fact, since the World Championship in March this year, Sui Wenjing has published her experimental attempt in hanfu on her social account. “For the first time, there are pants too long, places that are not suitable for ice, etc. But judging from recent performances, the newly improved Hanfu today has solved this…

Are you still helpless when taking pictures? Do you feel that embarrassed hands are nowhere to be put? We often see some pictures of girls wearing hanfu on the Internet, such as fairies, but we always feel embarrassed when we go to take pictures by ourselves. When the camera is facing you, you don't know what to do. You will suddenly find that pose is very important when taking pictures. Today let's learn how to pose when we shoot hanfu. Props Series The use of props is particularly important in the filming of Chinese costumes. They can help you find a place for your hands. Fans, umbrellas, books, lanterns, musical instruments. They are all good props to add temperament to you. With props, we can interact with props in various ways, and the story of the picture will be rich. Common props are as follows: [Lantern] [Fan] Different shapes of fans and different clothes will have different effects. It can be shaded, placed on the chest, or half-opened folding fan. More importantly, it can be used to block the face. [Musical instruments] The commonly used instruments are Xiao (萧), Dizi (笛子, flute), Qin (古琴), Pipa(琵琶), etc. [Book] [Umbrella] All kinds…

Hydrangea Macrophylla (八仙花, The Eight Immortals Flowers), it is also known as Ziyang flower(紫阳花) in mandarin. The hydrangea is plump, large and beautiful. Its flowers' color can be white, red and blue, which is pleasing to the eyes and the mind. It is a popular ornamental potted flower and widely planted in southern China. The cultivation of Hydrangea in China was very early, according to the record, it has been planted in the gardens of Suzhou in the Ming Dynasty. 八仙: The Eight Immortals are a group of legendary Xian ("immortals") in Chinese mythology. Most of them are said to have been born in the Tang or Shang Dynasty. They are revered by the Taoists and are also a popular element in the secular Chinese culture. The Legend of the Hydrangea Macrophylla It is said that one time, the eight immortals went to Yaochi (瑶池: Yaochi is the place where the Queen mother of the West lives, which is now Tianchi in Xinjiang.) to attend the Peach Party (蟠桃会) of the queen mother and came back to pass the East China Sea, which shocked the Dragon King of the East China Sea. The nine sons of the Dragon King were…

Lifen is a cardiologist in China and a Hanfu fanatic at the same time. She accepted our invitation to share her experiences about collecting and wearing Hanfu. She collects different styles of Hanfu and loves Cheongsam (Qipao) in particular. Let’s see how she falls in love with Hanfu. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Newhanfu: You’re a doctor, right. Would you mind sharing your working lives with us? Lifen: I’m a cardiologist. It’s been about 15 years since the first day I face cardiac diseases. Speaking about this career, as you can imagine, I’m living under serious stress everyday. It’s me who decides if my patients’ can continue their lives. The white coat I wear, the demeanor I bring with me, and the reputation of the profession I entered, all of these stand for a sacred trust that comes with great responsibility. Newhanfu: No doubt it’s a sacred profession. As you mentioned, there’s a lot of pressure you need to face in your career life. Are there any hobbies or interests that help you to reach a work-life balance? I know you‘re a Hanfu fanatic, and that’s why we have today’s talk. Could you talk about it? What is the role Hanfu play in your…

Today, I recommend this gentle and changeable hairstyle for Song and Ming Hanfu. This ancient Chinese hairstyle with different hairdressers will produce different feelings. Excellent plasticity. Video teaching at the end of the article https://youtu.be/Xv2dgfgiVyQ More hair style teaching can be found at Hanfu Makeup Group and Hanfu Makeup tag.

Summer is coming. It's the season of silk and chiffon. Although it's hot, the elegance and droop of silk and chiffon make summer beautiful immediately. Hanfu made of silk and chiffon are easy to clean, preserve, and wrinkle. They are one of the easiest kinds of cloth to clean and maintain. But we can still see a lot of hanfu, the cloth turns yellow and old, after wearing them several times. In the final analysis, it is the reason why there is no cleaning in the washing process. In the process of washing hanfu, there are several points needing attention. I hope it will be helpful to you. The correct way to wash hanfu is to wash them by reversal. Hand wash them as much as possible. To put it in the washing machine, remember to wrap it in a laundry bag. Dark hanfu may be partially discolored for the first time. It should be noted that dark and light colors must be washed separately. If you buy dark colors, you can soak them in warm brine for half an hour, which can reduce the discoloration. Cotton fabrics will shrink in the first washing. It can be soaked in water…

Have you ever seen such hanfu clothes in movies? In fact, this is a kind of costume of the Ming Dynasty in ancient China, called "Ci Fu (赐服)". Ci Fu in ancient times can be understood as the clothes given to you by the emperor. Only the relatives of the emperor, the ministers of merit, or the tribal chiefs can get it. There are four kinds of Ci Fu: Python Robe (蟒袍, manɡ páo), Flying Fish Robe (飞鱼袍, fēi yú páo), Bullfight Robe (斗牛袍, dòu niú páo), Unicorn Robe (麒麟袍, qí lín páo ); The difference between the four is mainly due to the different patterns. (Remember, the flying fish suit is not a flying fish, but the pattern is called flying fish, it is actually more like a dragon.) Flying fish clothes are more common nowadays. Both men and women can wear them. Let's enjoy the handsome flying fish clothes together.

Kyoto is an ancient capital of Japan. It preserves a large number of historic buildings. Many Japanese and tourists will feel Japanese culture in kimonos. However, in this ancient city, some local people often see a Chinese girl in Chinese costume walking down the street. Local Japanese all raised their thumbs: so beautiful, just like a fairy! The girl's name is Zhi Luo. She was born in 1993. She is from Beijing, China. Because her husband (Chinese) has been a photographer in Japan for many years, she came to Kyoto to work more than half a year ago. Why does Zhiluo like Hanfu? This is closely related to family education, she has often participated in activities about Chinese culture since childhood. Nowadays, Zhi luo works in Kyoto. As a result of working in photography, Zhi Luo wore Hanfu to work and became a landscape on the street. Although there were differences in the form and system of Han uniforms in different dynasties, Zhi Luo was very fond of it. She said: "Wear Tang and Song style when it's hot, Wei, Jin and Ming-style when it's cold, you can wear it all year round." Usually, Zhi Luo wears Chinese clothes to…

On 20 April 2019, cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Parc de Sceaux in southern Paris. The French Boyan Association and Parc de Sceaux in Hauts-de-Sein held the fifth Cherry Blossom Shangsi Festival (上巳节). So what is Shangsi Festival (上巳节)? Shangsi Festival has a long history in China. Originally, it was for eliminating evil, bathing and praying, and welcoming spring and summer. After the Wei and Jin Dynasties, it was fixed on the third day of the third month of the lunar calendar. In this splendid spring day, Chinese Hanfu enthusiasts show the French people the classical Chinese culture. Many French people are actively involved in it. Let's see what they have done together: If you are interested in such activities, you can leave a message to communicate with me.

In Chinese culture, accessories are a language of beauty. They are an extension of clothing expression. With accessories, Hanfu can be more appealing. Fans are one of the common accessories in Hanfu culture.  This article will lead you to understand the history of Hanfu's fans. Fans have about three thousands of history in China. After thousands of years of evolution and improvement, they have developed into hundreds of fans' families. Fans were originally known as the "Five Ming Fans (五明扇, Wu míng shàn)" in history, was invented by the "Shun" (舜, Chief of the Ancient Tribal Alliance of China). In the Yin and Zhou Dynasties, appeared a kind of "Di Fan" (翟扇, Dí shàn) made of the colorful pheasant tail feathers, so there is a saying of "Feather Fan". At that time, the fan was not used to fan the wind, but to serve as the emperor to ward off the wind and avoid the sand. It can be classified into two categories: First, Flat Fans (平扇), can not be folded. Brief introduction: during the Warring States, Qin, and Han Dynasties, flat fans became the mainstream of fans at that time, used by both emperors and civilians. In the Western Han…

As the old saying goes, a woman's elegant temperament must have something to do with her dress. This sentence is not entirely correct, but to some extent, it also shows the importance of clothing and jewelry for women. In ancient China, jewelry was not only an ornament, but also a symbol of status. So what jewelry did ancient women wear? Let's have a look.   Ji  Ji (笄, a kind of hairpin), a kind of scorpion used by ancient Chinese women to decorate the rolled hair or insert a hat. Is the originator of Zan (簪,zān), Chai (钗,chāi). In ancient times, the use of Ji by women was a very important thing. It is necessary to hold the "Hair pinning ceremony", which is the same as the "crown ceremony" of men, they are all adult rituals in ancient China. From the Zhou Dynasty, it was stipulated that women should complete their "Hair pinning ceremony" after engagement and before marriage. Usually, at the age of 15, the mother combs her daughter's hair, pulls her hair in a bun, and inserts her hair in a Ji, meaning "Adult, start another stage of life".The material of Ji is various. The dignitaries usually use…

In recent years, traveling to China has become more and more popular around the world. Many people come to enjoy the unique life of China, taste delicious food, visit beautiful scenery, and experience Chinese traditional culture. But you may find out it is rare to see people wearing traditional Chinese costumes in their daily lives. It seems like traditional clothing has been forgotten by them. So, you might have a question, what is Chinese traditional dress, Cheongsam, Qipao, or Kimono?   Hanfu – The Traditional Costume of China Each country's traditional costumes are one of the symbols that reflect countries' ancient cultures and how native citizens were influenced by the regional environment. China has a long history of more than 5,000 years. Undoubtedly, Hanfu, as the most typical traditional costume of China, is a very important part of Chinese national culture. But compared with other traditional cultures, such as Chinese painting and calligraphy, Hanfu is not getting proper status and glory in the Chinese Culture Circle. Though with its disappearance in some ears, Hanfu still remains its typical features today due to its strong vitality. The clothing of Buddhism, Taoism, and many minority nationalities in China still maintains the characteristics…

The previous article's introduction focuses on women's Ruqun, and then we introduce men's Ruqun. The men's Ruqun is a male dress, composed of a top blouse and a lower dress, and the upper jaw is mostly handed over(Jiaoling). Compared with the women's skirts, the men's skirt style and pattern are plainer. "Zhou Yi(周易)" said that “Yellow Emperor, Yao, Shun is wearing clothes and the world is ruled”, which shows that in the Yellow Emperor's era, the tops of the blouses were the styles of the ancient Chinese people. This is the prototype of the Ruqun (a top blouse and a lower dress)of the next generation, costumes of the blouses, and other costumes. Although its specific shape still needs further research, but the suit of a top blouse and a lower skirt lays the foundation of Hanfu. Until the appearance of Zhiju, Quju, and so on, the number of people wearing Ruqun(Ru dress) has been reduced, but the official high-standard men's dress was still the Ruqun system(a top blouse and a lower dress), which continued until the Ming Dynasty. The traditional dress of Hanfu is an enclosed skirt, which is made up of several pieces of skirts and is connected to…

The Ruqun(襦裙) is one of the earliest and most basic forms of clothing in the history of Han costumes. From the Warring States period with physical evidence, at the end of the Ming and Qing Dynasties with the "shaving and easy clothing". Is the most basic form of traditional Han costumes. In the meantime, more than 2,000 years, although the length and width have changed, the basic form has always maintained the original style. The Ruqun(襦裙) consists of the lower dress and the upper jaw (is short coat) and is generally called the Changfu (常服, uniform). According to the collar type, the Ruqun can be divided into: "Jiaoling Ruqun (交领襦裙, cross collar Ruqun)" "Zhiling Ruqun (直领襦裙, straight collar Ruqun)" According to the waist position of the dress, can be divided into: "Zhongyao Ruqun (中腰襦裙, a middle waist Ruqun)" "Gaoyao Ruqun (高腰襦裙, a high waist Ruqun)"  "Qixiong Ruqun (齐胸襦裙, a chest Ruqun)" the Jiaoling Ruqun: the cross-collar dress is quite common in the Song Dynasty, it is characterized by the captain for the cross-collar.Can be subdivided into three: Jiaoling-Qiyao Ruqun(交领-齐腰襦裙,cross-collar Qi waist Ruqun): Qiyao Ruqun: dress's waist and waist are flush. Jiaoling-Gaoyao Ruqun (交领-高腰襦裙,cross-collar high waist Ruqun): Gaoyao Ruqun: The line…