The history of China displays a huge list of rulers and ruling dynasties. Each of them had its own features, cultural values, customs, and clothing traditions. The latter is the most important for us. Let’s see the difference between the folk costume of various Chinese dynasties, including the main garments, outerwear, headdresses, accessories, hairdos, and other items of the traditional outfit of China. We’ve got some great photos to illustrate the diversity of Chinese national garments.
Xia Dynasty (471 years) – 2070-1600 B.C. Ruled by Han Chinese
Shang Dynasty (646 years) – 1600-1046 B.C. Ruled by Han Chinese
Zhou Dynasty (772 years) – 1046-256 B.C. Ruled by Han Chinese
Spring and Autumn – 722-481 B.C. Warring States Period – 403-221 B.C. Ruled by Han Chinese
Qin Dynasty (15 years) – 221-206 B.C. Ruled by Han Chinese
Western Han (198 years) – 206 B.C. – 23 A.D. Ruled by Han Chinese
Eastern Han (195 years) – 25-220 A.D. Ruled by Han Chinese
Kingdoms Period:
Wei – 220-265 A.D.
Shu – 221-263 A.D.
Wu – 222-280 A.D.
Western Jin Dynasty (51 years) – 265-316 A.D. Ruled by Han Chinese
Eastern Jin Dynasty and 16 Kingdoms:
Eastern Jin (23 years) – 317-420 A.D.
16 Kingdoms (35 years) – 304-439 A.D.
Northern and Southern Dynasties:
Southern Dynasty (Han Chinese):
Song – 420-479 A.D.
Qi – 479-502 A.D.
Liang – 502-557 A.D.
Chen – 557-589 A.D.
Northern Dynasty (Tuo Ba Chinese):
Northern Wei – 386-534 A.D.
Eastern Wei – 534-550 A.D.
Northern Qi – 550-577 A.D.
Western Wei – 535-557 A.D.
Northern Zhou – 557-581 A.D.
Sui Dynasty (37 years) – 581-618 A.D. Ruled by Han Chinese
Tang Dynasty (289 years) – 618-907 A.D. Ruled by Han Chinese
Song Dynasty:
Northern Song (167 years) – 960-1127 A.D. Ruled by Han Chinese
Southern Song (152 years) – 1127-1279 A.D. Ruled by Han Chinese
Yuan dynasty (89 years) – 1279-1368 A.D. Ruled by Mongolian
Ming Dynasty (276 years) – 1368-1644 A.D. Ruled by Han Chinese
Qing Dynasty (295 years) – 1644-1911 A.D. Ruled by Man Chinese (Manchu)
Republic of China – 1912-1949 A.D. Ruled by Han Chinese
Qipao or Cheongsam was derived from Manchu Banners
Today
This is called “tang suit” – Chinese traditional costumes. However, they are not real Chinese (Han Chinese) clothes.
The real Chinese traditional outfits are like this and called “hanfu”.
