The Beauty of Hanfu: Oriental Elegance in Robes and Sleeves

In the thousands of years of Chinese cultural history, Hanfu is like a bright pearl, condensing the ancient people’s pursuit of beauty and carrying the unique elegance of oriental Culture. It is not a static historical relic, but a vivid cultural symbol. Every stitch and thread is sewn with the aesthetic genes of the Chinese nation, and every style conveys the profound connotation of oriental philosophy. For foreign tourists coming from afar, if you want to understand traditional Chinese aesthetics, Hanfu is an indispensable window.

The beauty of Hanfu first lies in the regularity and flexibility of its shape. Different from the three-dimensional cutting of Western clothing, Hanfu adopts flat cutting, with “crossed collars with the right side overlapping the left, loose robes with wide sleeves, and hidden buttons tied with ribbons” as the core characteristics, forming a unique oriental style. The crossed collars with the right side overlapping the left is the most basic shape specification of Hanfu, which has not changed for thousands of years. This symmetrical cutting method not only conforms to the aesthetic habits of orientals, but also contains the philosophical thought of “the golden mean”; the design of wide sleeves endows Hanfu with an elegant and free-spirited temperament. Whether it is the wide robes and sleeves of scholars or the light sleeves of women, they flutter like the breeze when walking, showing the gentleness and grandeur of orientals; the ribbon around the waist is the finishing touch of Hanfu. Without cumbersome buttons, it is only fixed with simple knots, which not only shows the implicit oriental aesthetics, but also implies the cultural origin of “tying knots to record events”, adding a touch of flexibility and elegance to the costume.

The beauty of Hanfu is also reflected in the richness of its styles and the marks of the times. Hanfu of different dynasties reflects the cultural style and aesthetic taste of different times, like a flowing costume history book. During the prosperous Tang Dynasty, the country was strong and Culture was open, and the styles of Hanfu were also bold and gorgeous. Women’s Ruqun had low necklines, wide skirts, bright and vivid colors. Bright colors such as red, purple and green were popular. Matching with light Pibo, they walked like fairies descending to the earth, showing the charm and playfulness of women in the prosperous Tang Dynasty; men’s round-necked robes were simple and elegant, tied with ribbons around the waist, which were not only convenient for movement, but also showed the bold and free-spirited atmosphere of the prosperous Tang Dynasty. In the Song Dynasty, culture tended to be introverted, and the pursuit of aesthetics was simple and elegant, so the styles of Hanfu also became fresh and elegant. Beizi became a favorite costume of both men and women in the Song Dynasty. It was knee-length with smooth lines, and the neckline and cuffs were embroidered with simple patterns. The colors were mostly light colors such as white, blue and gray, showing the indifference and calmness of scholars; Songku adopted a layered design, loose and comfortable, matching with short jackets, showing flexibility and playfulness. Hanfu in the Ming Dynasty combined practicality and delicacy. Aoqun became the mainstream costume for women. The matching of upper jacket and lower skirt was simple and elegant. The neckline and cuffs of the jacket were mostly decorated with Embroidery, edging and other crafts. The skirt had styles such as Mamianqun (a kind of traditional skirt with pleats) and Baizhequn (a kind of pleated skirt). When walking, the skirt stretches, showing dignity and elegance.

In addition to shape and style, the colors and patterns of Hanfu also carry profound cultural meanings. The ancient people were very particular about the use of colors. Different colors corresponded to different identities, occasions and meanings. Yellow was a special color for the royal family in ancient times, symbolizing the supremacy of imperial power; red represented good luck and joy, and was mostly used in festive occasions such as weddings and the Spring Festival; blue symbolized vitality and nobility, and was a common color for scholars; white could be used as mourning clothes or daily clothes, showing simplicity and elegance. The patterns of Hanfu were also rich and colorful. Dragon patterns and phoenix patterns symbolized nobility and good luck, and were mostly used in royal costumes; peony patterns implied wealth and glory, lotus patterns symbolized purity and elegance, and plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum, known as the “four gentlemen”, became common patterns on scholars’ costumes, conveying noble character and spiritual pursuit. The matching of these colors and patterns made Hanfu not only a piece of clothing, but also a work of art carrying cultural meanings.

In recent years, with the revival of traditional Chinese Culture, the Hanfu craze has swept the country. More and more people begin to wear Hanfu and promote Hanfu culture. You can see figures wearing Hanfu everywhere on the streets, lanes, scenic spots and Parks. They either take photos or participate in traditional festival activities, making Hanfu re-integrate into modern life. For foreign tourists, you may wish to try on a Hanfu during your trip, walk in the ancient streets and lanes, feel the collision between tradition and modernity, and experience the oriental elegance hidden in the robes and sleeves. Hanfu is not only a traditional Chinese costume, but also an important carrier of oriental culture. With its unique charm, it shows the profound heritage and infinite vitality of Chinese civilization to the world.