What Dynasty is Hanfu from?
In today's era of highly developed economy, with a vast array of goods to choose from, clothing has transcended its basic material function. It now serves as a carrier of a nation's culture and represents our recognition of thousands of years of outstanding cultural heritage. Hanfu culture is no exception. So, a common question arises: which dynasty does Hanfu originate from?
The Origin of Hanfu
Contrary to common belief, Hanfu is not the attire of the Han Dynasty. Hanfu, the traditional clothing of the Han ethnic group, also known as Han Yiguan or Hanzhuang, evolved naturally from the time when Emperor Huangdi ascended the throne until the mid - 17th century (the end of the Ming Dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty). In the major residential areas of the Han people, against the backdrop of "Huaxia - Han" culture and with Huaxia etiquette culture at its core, it developed into a unique system of traditional clothing and accessories, distinctly different from those of other ethnic groups. It took shape during the Zhou Dynasty and was passed down through the Qin Dynasty. In essence, Hanfu does not pertain to a single dynasty. If we envision Hanfu as a large tree, then the clothing styles of each dynasty can be seen as its branches and leaves.
Classification and Features of Hanfu
Hanfu is characterized by cross - collars and right - overlaps, and it uses sashes instead of buttons for fastening, giving it a free - flowing and elegant appearance. Hanfu can be categorized into ceremonial and casual wear. The Mianfu, consisting of an upper garment and a lower skirt, is the most formal and solemn attire for emperors and officials. The Paofu (Shenyi) serves as the common clothing for officials and scholars, while the Ruqun is a favorite among women. Ordinary laborers typically wear short - sleeved tops and long trousers. Hanfu can be broadly classified into three types: Ruqun, the Tang - style big - sleeved shirt, and the round - collar shirt.
The Ruqun emerged during the Warring States period and gained popularity in the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties. It combines a short upper garment called "Ru" (usually not exceeding the knee in length) and a lower skirt, following the typical "upper garment and lower skirt" clothing system. The Ruqun, a combination of these two items, was the predominant clothing for women in the Tang Dynasty. The Pibo, also known as "Huabo", is made of light, thin silk gauze with patterns. It is draped over the shoulders and wound around the arms, and is often seen in TV dramas.
After the height of the Tang Dynasty, the influence of non - Han clothing gradually diminished, and women's clothing styles became more voluminous. This trend was even more pronounced in the middle and late Tang Dynasty. The Tang - style big - sleeved shirt was mainly worn on important occasions such as court audiences, formal meetings, and weddings. When donning this ceremonial dress, women adorned their hair with golden and jade hairpins, earning it the name "Diancha Liyi". The big - sleeved shirt and skirt featured large sleeves, front - opening, and were paired with a long skirt and Pibo. Using silk gauze as fabric for women's clothing was a hallmark of Tang - Dynasty fashion, closely linked to the open - minded ideology of that era.
Evolution of Hanfu
The round - collar shirt is a significant variant of Hanfu that emerged during the Sui and Tang dynasties. Although the round - collar style had appeared much earlier in Chinese clothing history, it only became popular during the Sui and Tang dynasties, evolving into the official regular wear. This style persisted through the Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, and Ming dynasties, exerting a profound influence on countries like Japan and Korea. The prevalence of this round - collar Hanfu variant did not lead to the disappearance of the traditional right - overlap cross - collar Hanfu. In fact, even during the Tang Dynasty when it was most widespread, it was mainly confined to the area centered around Chang'an, among officials and members of the royal family. In regions like Wuyue and among the general public, the traditional right - overlap cross - collar Hanfu remained dominant, a pattern that continued in the Song and Ming dynasties. Tang Dynasty officials, apart from wearing round - collar narrow - sleeved robes, also wore big - sleeved shirts, lower skirts, jade pendants, and sashes. The round - collar Hanfu, like the cross - collar Hanfu, is an integral part of the Han ethnic group's clothing heritage.
With thousands of years of Chinese history, understanding the evolution of clothing demands significant time, effort, and thought. It cannot be simply summarized in a few words. If you get the chance, try on a set of Hanfu. You may gain new insights and a deeper appreciation of cultural heritage at that very moment. After all, many of us have childhood memories of pretending to be ancient figures by draping bed sheets over ourselves. Hanfu, with its long - standing history, is not just clothing; it is a symbol of our profound culture, waiting for you to explore and embrace.
