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Traditional clothing of Chinese dynasties. Folk costume of China through the centuries (photos)

Originally published 15 January 2018 · 2 min read
Traditional clothing of Chinese dynasties. Folk costume of China through the centuries (photos)

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

Traditional clothing of Shang dynasty

Traditional clothing of Shang dynasty

Traditional clothing of Shang dynasty

Zhou Dynasty (772 years) – 1046-256 B.C. Ruled by Han Chinese

Traditional clothing of Zhou dynasty

Traditional clothing of Zhou dynasty

Traditional clothing of Zhou dynasty

Spring and Autumn – 722-481 B.C. Warring States Period – 403-221 B.C. Ruled by Han Chinese

Traditional Chinese clothing

Traditional Chinese clothing

Traditional Chinese clothing

Qin Dynasty (15 years) – 221-206 B.C. Ruled by Han Chinese

Traditional clothing of Qin dynasty

Traditional clothing of Qin dynasty

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

Chinese traditional clothing

Chinese traditional clothing

Chinese traditional clothing

Kingdoms Period:

Wei – 220-265 A.D.

Shu – 221-263 A.D.

Wu – 222-280 A.D.

Chinese traditional clothing

Chinese traditional clothing

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.

Chinese traditional clothing

Chinese traditional clothing

Chinese traditional clothing

Sui Dynasty (37 years) – 581-618 A.D. Ruled by Han Chinese

Tang Dynasty (289 years) – 618-907 A.D. Ruled by Han Chinese

Chinese traditional clothing

Chinese traditional clothing

Chinese traditional clothing

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

Traditional clothing of Song dynasty

Traditional clothing of Song dynasty

Traditional clothing of Song dynasty

Traditional clothing of Song dynasty

Yuan dynasty (89 years) – 1279-1368 A.D. Ruled by Mongolian

Traditional clothing of Yuan dynasty

Traditional clothing of Yuan dynasty

Ming Dynasty (276 years) – 1368-1644 A.D. Ruled by Han Chinese

Traditional clothing of Ming dynasty

Traditional clothing of Ming dynasty

Traditional clothing of Ming dynasty

Traditional clothing of Ming dynasty

Qing Dynasty (295 years) – 1644-1911 A.D. Ruled by Man Chinese (Manchu)

Traditional clothing of Qing dynasty

Traditional clothing of Qing dynasty

Traditional clothing of Qing dynasty

Traditional clothing of Qing dynasty

Traditional clothing of Qing dynasty

Traditional clothing of Qing dynasty

Republic of China – 1912-1949 A.D. Ruled by Han Chinese

Qipao or Cheongsam was derived from Manchu Banners

Traditional clothing of China

Traditional clothing of China

Today

This is called “tang suit” – Chinese traditional costumes. However, they are not real Chinese (Han Chinese) clothes.

Modern Chinese folk clothing

The real Chinese traditional outfits are like this and called “hanfu”.

Modern Chinese folk clothing

Modern Chinese folk clothing



(c) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU7CTvX_bnI