Through Thousands of Years: The Marks of Chinese Civilization in Hanfu

From the Yellow Emperor who ruled the world by wearing clothes to the costume changes in the early Qing Dynasty, Hanfu has accompanied the Chinese nation through thousands of years, witnessed the rise and fall of dynasties, and carried the inheritance and development of civilization. It is not only a costume system, but also a living history book engraved with the marks of Chinese civilization. Every detail contains the wisdom, etiquette and cultural beliefs of the ancient people. For foreign tourists, understanding Hanfu is a journey of Chinese civilization spanning thousands of years.

The origin of Hanfu can be traced back to ancient times. According to legend, the basic shape of costumes was established during the Yellow Emperor period. The record of “ruling the world by wearing clothes” not only reflects the practical function of costumes, but also combines costumes with social order and governance concepts, laying the foundation of Hanfu Culture. During the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties, Hanfu gradually formed a relatively complete system, and the hierarchy of costumes began to be established. People of different identities wore costumes of different styles and colors to distinguish between superiority and inferiority. At this time, Hanfu was mostly made of linen and silk, with simple and primitive patterns, mainly cloud and thunder patterns and animal face patterns, conveying the ancient people’s awe and worship of nature.

The Qin and Han dynasties were an important stage in the development of Hanfu. With the establishment of the centralized system, the costume system became more and more perfect. Hanfu in the Han Dynasty mainly included Quju and Zhiju. The Quju was wrapped layer by layer, solemn and elegant, and was mostly used in formal occasions; the Zhiju was simple and elegant, suitable for daily wear. The fabrics of Hanfu at this time were more abundant, the silk production technology continued to progress, and the colors of costumes gradually became rich. At the same time, the etiquette function of Hanfu became more prominent. Whether it was sacrifice, court meeting or wedding, there were corresponding costume norms. Costumes became an important carrier to maintain social order and convey etiquette Culture. Scholars in the Han Dynasty mostly wore Hanfu with wide robes and sleeves, showing the noble character and spiritual pursuit of the “scholar” class, which had a profound impact on later generations.

During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, society was turbulent, but Culture showed a diversified development trend, and Hanfu also underwent many changes. Hanfu at this time paid more attention to personality and elegance. Scholars mostly wore loose shirts without belts, casual and free-spirited, reflecting the cultural trend of “Wei-Jin demeanor” at that time. At the same time, due to the intensification of national integration, elements of ethnic minority costumes were gradually integrated into Hanfu, making the styles of Hanfu more abundant. Women’s Hanfu was mostly Ruqun, with wide skirts and light colors, matching with Pibo, showing gentle and flexible beauty. This style also laid the foundation for the development of Hanfu in the Tang Dynasty.

During the Sui and Tang dynasties, China entered a prosperous era, and Hanfu ushered in its heyday. Hanfu in the Tang Dynasty had various styles and bright colors, showing the grandeur of the prosperous Tang Dynasty. Men’s round-necked robes became the mainstream costume. The neckline and cuffs were embroidered with exquisite patterns, and the colors were rich. Officials of different ranks were distinguished by the color and pattern of their costumes; women’s Ruqun had various styles. High-waisted Ruqun and chest-high Ruqun were deeply loved, with low necklines and wide skirts. Matching with light Pibo, they walked like flowing clouds and water, showing the charm and playfulness of women. Hanfu in the Tang Dynasty not only paid attention to the matching of style and color, but also paid attention to the texture of fabrics and the sophistication of craftsmanship. High-grade fabrics such as silk and yarn were widely used. The use of Embroidery and gold weaving techniques made Hanfu exquisite works of art. The Hanfu culture of this period also had a far-reaching impact, even spreading to neighboring countries such as Japan and South Korea, and exerting an important influence on the local costume culture.

During the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, Hanfu continued to develop in inheritance, showing different characteristics of the times. Hanfu in the Song Dynasty tended to be simple and elegant, focusing on the fluency of lines and the embodiment of texture. Beizi and Songku became mainstream costumes. Scholars mostly wore plain Hanfu, showing indifferent and implicit aesthetic taste. Hanfu in the Ming Dynasty combined practicality and delicacy. Styles such as Aoqun and Pifeng became mainstream, with exquisite craftsmanship and beautiful patterns, perfectly integrating the aesthetic value and practical value of Hanfu. In the early Qing Dynasty, due to the change of dynasties, the development of Hanfu was affected to a certain extent, but Hanfu culture did not disappear, but was inherited in the form of folk costumes.

Today, Hanfu culture has ushered in a revival in the new era. More and more people begin to pay attention to and love Hanfu. Hanfu is no longer a historical relic, but a cultural link between tradition and modernity. For foreign tourists, when you walk into a Hanfu store in China, put on a favorite Hanfu, and walk in ancient streets and scenic spots, you can truly feel the cultural resonance spanning thousands of years. Every shape, every pattern and every color in Hanfu hides the marks of Chinese civilization, waiting for you to explore, interpret and feel the profound heritage and unique charm of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.