Author: ziseviolet

Hi! Do you know if there’s a particular name for the looped hairstyles like these: i[.]pinimg[.]com/564x/44/57/36/445736c8e7a0ffd0399993a0bb6c84c0[.]jpg & i[.]pinimg[.]com/564x/6b/e3/41/6be341d1db1fdd490473697594ad782b[.]jpg (and were they actually from the Tang Dynasty like the source said?)

Hi, thanks for the question!

These two looped hairstyles, worn by Fan Bing Bing as Wu Zetian in the Chinese drama “The Empress of China”, are unique styles with individual names. The first style is called 双环望仙髻/Shuang Huan Wang Xian Ji (Double Hooped Immortal-Seeking Ji), and the second style is called 飞仙髻/Fei Xian Ji (Flying Immortal Ji). “Ji/髻” refers to any hairstyle involving pulling hair on top of the head. Let’s take a look at each one:

1. 双环望仙髻/Shuang Huan Wang Xian Ji (Double Hooped Immortal-Seeking Ji):

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For this hairstyle, the hair is split into two parts, and black yarn or ribbons are used to form hoops above the head. For the finishing touch, a small Buyao (hairpin with decorations that swing as you walk) is added to the front. The hairstyle originally developed from an earlier style called 双环髻/Shuang Huan Ji (Double Hooped Ji), which was popular among single women and court ladies during the Wei/Jin and Northern & Southern dynasties. The Double Hooped Immortal-Seeking Ji was fashionable during the Tang – Song dynasties:

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2. 飞仙髻/Fei Xian Ji (Flying Immortal Ji):

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This hairstyle, which consists of two tall twin loops on either side of the head, first appeared during the Han dynasty. Legend has it that during that time, the Heavenly Mother of the Jade Palace visited Emperor Wu Di. He was so astounded by the visit that he recorded the flying immortals’ hairstyle, and asked his court maidens to imitate it. The Flying Immortal Ji is thus commonly used in depictions of immortals. It was also worn by young girls, as well as being a popular hairstyle for traditional dances and performances:   

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To create the hairstyle, start with a high ponytail atop the head. Next, split the hair into two segments and form each into a loop, and then wrap the ends around the base of the ponytail. Use hairpins to keep the coils of hair in place, and reinforce with another hair tie as needed. Finally, decorate generously with hair accessories. Semiprecious stone pins, jade combs, and delicate ornaments of metal were popular choices of the past.

For a visual depiction of how the Flying Immortal Ji is created, there’s a helpful video tutorial here:

The back is just as beautiful as the front!

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Hope this helps!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

fouryearsofshades:

▶昨日，以“礼乐中华　盛世衣裳”为主题的第二届中华礼乐大会暨（厦门）汉服文化节在厦门举行，来自全国各地及旅居欧美的数百名礼乐文化推广者及汉服爱好者以不同方式，展现华夏礼乐之美、衣冠之秀。图为汉服爱好者表演茶道。

林善传摄影报道

2014 November 30

Newspaper:福建日报

Reporter/Photographer 林善传

Performing Chinese tea ceremony in traditional hanfu.

vietphuc:

Sinosphere is a very real term. It doesn’t mean that China is the strongest and the best. It just means that this is a sphere of influence that was started by Chinese culture.

Every aspect of Chinese culture was adopted by surrounding countries, just like how modern people adopt American ways of life, down to the language, clothes, food, and entertainment. Chinese arts, language, food, and fashion were spread throughout East Asia. However, the ones most influenced by this cultural power were Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. Ryukyu was also part of the Sinosphere, but was later absorbed by Japan.

To put things in simple terms, all of these 3 nations started their borrowings during Tang. However, by the start of westernization:

  • Japan is most influenced by Tang and Song cultures. (Japan stopped borrowing from China once Yuan dynasty appeared)
  • Korea is most influenced by Yuan and Ming cultures. (Korea stopped borrowing from China once Qing dynasty appeared)
  • Vietnam is most influenced by Ming and Qing cultures. (Vietnam continued to borrow from China until French colonization)

Source: lilsuika