Hanfu Revival: Traditional Clothing Meets Modern Culture

Hanfu? What is Hanfu and Its Role in the Hanfu Revival
Hanfu clothing has its own unique clothing system.
It differs from the attire of other ethnic groups and has a history spanning thousands of years.
Hanfu originated in the time of the Yellow Emperor and continued until the late Ming dynasty.
The full name of Hanfu is “Traditional Han Nationality Clothing.”

The Hanfu Movement: A Cultural Awakening Through Clothing
“The revival of the Huaxia culture begins with attire and extends to broader horizons.”
The Hanfu Movement is the abbreviation for the “Hanfu Cultural Revival Movement.”
It is a cultural initiative led by the Han ethnic group, using the revival of traditional clothing as a means to promote the traditional culture of the Chinese nation and its ethnic attire.This movement is a significant part of the Hanfu revival, which has gained strong momentum in recent years.

In the Hanfu revival, respecting dynastic hanfu styles is crucial for cultural appreciation.

How to Wear Hanfu Respectfully: Honoring Chinese Cultural Heritage

Hanfu Outing Day: A Milestone in the Hanfu Revival Movement
On November 22, 2003, in the streets of Zhengzhou, Henan, a Hanfu enthusiast named Wang Letian went out wearing Hanfu clothing and was reported by the media, attracting widespread attention.
Since then, the Hanfu revival has gradually emerged across the country.
To commemorate this day, November 22 was designated as “Hanfu Outing Day.”
It has now been 20 years since that moment.
Today, Hanfu clothing enthusiasts can be found all over the world, and this traditional attire is captivating the world with its unique charm.

The Evolution of Hanfu Clothing: Key Styles Across Dynasties

1. Shenyi System: The upper garment and lower skirt are connected, such as Quju (curved-hem robe) and Zhiju (straight-hem robe).
2. Upper Garment and Lower Skirt System: The upper garment and lower skirt are separate, such as Beizi with Song-style trousers, or a standing-collar front-opening short shirt with a Mamian skirt.
3. Ruqun System: The upper garment is called “Ru,” which is relatively short and does not extend past the knees, while the “Qun” refers to the lower skirt, such as the Qi-yao Ruqun (waist-high skirt) and the Qi-xiong Ruqun (chest-high skirt).

Hanfu’s evolution from Zhou to Ming dynasties drives its modern revival.

Hanfu Introduction: Origins, Cultural and Evolution of Hanfu

Common Styles of Hanfu

Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties

Tang Dynasty Qi-xiong Ruqun

Tang Dynasty Round-Collar Robe (commonly worn by men in the Tang Dynasty)

Song Dynasty Long Beizi and Hundred-Fold Skirt

Song Dynasty Changgan Temple Beizi and Pleated Skirt

Song Dynasty Round-Collar Robe

Ming Dynasty Standing-Collar Front-Opening Pi-pa Sleeves and Mamian Skirt

Ming Dynasty Long Bijia, Standing-Collar Long Robe, and Mamian Skirt

Ming Dynasty Feiyu Robe

Ming Dynasty Round-Collar Cross-Lapelled Upper Garment (first from the left)

Ming Dynasty Daoist Robe and Dahu (red, first from the right)

Ming Dynasty Short Bijia, Standing-Collar Front-Opening Pi-pa Sleeves, and Mamian Skirt

Symbolism in Hanfu Clothing: More Than Just Garments

The crossed-collar design symbolizes righteousness and integrity.

The circular sleeve openings represent the harmonious nature of the heavens.

The upper garment consists of four panels of fabric, symbolizing the four seasons of the year.

The central seam represents uprightness, with an additional seam at the front and back symbolizing consistency in one’s character.

The lower skirt consists of twelve pieces of fabric, representing the twelve months of the year.

These symbolic design elements form an important part of the Hanfu revival, reminding wearers of the values and wisdom embedded in their heritage.

Hanfu Clothing vs. Ancient Costumes: Understanding the Difference

The term “ancient costume” is defined in contrast to modern fashion.

1. In a broad sense, it includes the ancient clothing of various countries, such as European court attire, Japanese kimono, etc.
2. In a narrower sense, it refers to the traditional attire of all ethnic groups in ancient China (before the Republic of China), as long as it belongs to the ancient era.
3. In another popular interpretation, it simply refers to clothing that has elements from before the Republic of China, usually seen in period dramas.

Hanfu clothing, on the other hand, is defined from an ethnic perspective and specifically refers to the traditional clothing of the Han nationality.
It includes both ancient Hanfu (which was interrupted for over 300 years due to the enforced dress code of the Qing dynasty) and modern Hanfu, which retains traditional clothing structures and cultural features.
In a sense, ancient Hanfu is a type of ancient costume. However, while some ancient costumes and Hanfu may have similar structures, they differ fundamentally in spirit.

• Ancient costumes belong to the past, while Hanfu revival connects the past, present, and future.
• Ancient costumes are merely beautiful garments from history. Hanfu, at first glance, may appear similar, but it carries on a cultural mission.
• Ancient costumes stop at appearance, while Hanfu revival embodies a deeper sense of identity, awareness, and cultural revitalization.

Hanfu is not just clothing—it is a spirit, a conscious awakening of our nation, culture, history, and civilization.
Ancient costumes remain in history, frozen in time.
Hanfu, though its revival may have begun humbly, successfully bridges the past and the present, proudly pointing toward the future.

“How can one say we have no clothes? We shall share our robes together.”
With the goal of promoting traditional culture, Hanfu revival allows more people to understand their nation and heritage.
Using Hanfu as a medium, we can bring the richness of Chinese traditional culture to a wider audience.
Through its dignified elegance and profound meaning, Hanfu continues to thrive in the modern era, offering countless opportunities to experience our cultural roots.
It plays a vital role in reshaping people’s perception, confidence, and sense of belonging to their heritage today.