Tag: china

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

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

I see many hanfu wearers with Miao silver hair accessories in photo. I’m just curious if this is historically common or is it just for aesthetic purposes considering the history and tensions between the two ethnicities.

ziseviolet:

Hi, thanks for the question!

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As you’ve noticed, Miao silver (苗银/miao yin) hair accessories have been popular with hanfu wearers for some time now. I’m not sure exactly when or how the trend started, but I assume that it was used in some hanfu photoshoots, people took notice and started copying, and it just snowballed from there:

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Miao silver is well-known throughout China (if not the world), and there would’ve been cultural exchanges between the Han and Miao throughout history (Han people wearing Miao fashion and accessories, and vice versa). However, the use of Miao silver for crafting Han-style hair accessories to wear with hanfu is, from what I can tell, a recent trend that became popular purely for aesthetic reasons.

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It’s gotten so popular to the point that nowadays, you can find all kinds of Miao silver hair accessories for hanfu all over Taobao 😛

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Hope this helps!

Images via: 1, 2, 3

Update: Fate-magical-girls has brought to my attention the awkward circumstances of the Miao in China. A theme-park version of their culture is displayed during diversity events, but there is a lack of resources to improve their welfare, live their traditional lifestyle, or sponsor their cultural education. For those who are interested in learning more about Miao/Hmong culture, here are some recommended links: hmongstudiesjournal, learnabouthmong, garyyialee, chinamzw, 3-hmong, 3miao, hmong.org.

Do you know where the photoset of the girl is in all red and its snowing and it kind of looks like a castle was taken ? Sorry if this is unspecific but I just thought that photoset was one of the most beautiful I’ve seen. (Also I’m absolutely in love with your blog everything on it is so educational and awe-inspiring!)

Hi! I’m really happy to hear that you love my blog! ❤

Regarding your question – you’re referring to this photoset, if I’m not mistaken. It was taken at the Chaotian Palace (朝天宫/Chaotian Gong) in Nanjing. The original source of the photoset is here.  It really is very beautiful, with all the snow, isn’t it? ^^

Hope this helps!

Is this hairstyle,peony pinned on her hairstyle,outfit restricted to royal 👑 ladies only

Hi, thanks for the question! 

The painting you’re referring to is the famous Tang dynasty hand scroll by Zhou Fang, “Court Ladies Wearing Flowered Headdresses/簪花仕女图”. This scroll depicts five palace ladies and a maidservant amusing themselves in a garden.  

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The court ladies’ hairstyle is called Gao Ji/高髻 (High Ji), also known as E Ji/峨髻 (Lofty Ji). “Ji/髻” refers to any hairstyle involving pulling hair on top of the head. Gao Ji was a popular hairstyle among Chinese women during the Tang dynasty. As its names indicate, it refers to a relatively high and full updo, decorated with hair ornaments. Tang culture celebrated fullness and glamour, and that aesthetic extended to hair as well. Tang women believed the higher the hair, the better, with some using wigs to achieve the desired look – it was not uncommon for the updo to reach over one foot in height. Gao Ji was beloved by all classes of women during the Tang dynasty.

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Gao Ji came in several different varieties. The specific one you’re referring to, with the peony pinned to the top, is called Zan Hua Gao Ji/簪花高髻 (Flowered High Ji). This style involved a Gao Ji embellished with huge peony or lotus blossoms, as well as gold hair ornaments.The practice of wearing flowers expressed women’s admiration for the beauty of the blossoms, but also symbolized the fleeting nature of youth.Zan Hua Gao Ji was especially popular among aristocratic women during the Tang dynasty.

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Here are two modern depictions of the hairstyle:

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Regarding the court ladies’ outfits – the relatively low neckline and nearly floor-length sleeves of the gowns, and the wide gauze scarves worn as stoles or draped across the arms, are all characteristic of the high court fashion of the Tang dynasty. I also addressed the same question in my reply to you here, so please check it out.

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Hope this helps!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5