Shen Yun Performing Arts
  • About Shen Yun
    The Performance
    New to Shen Yun?
    9 Characteristics of Shen Yun
    Classical Chinese Dance
    Symphony Orchestra
    Factsheet
    The Company
    Our Story
    Life at Shen Yun
    The Untold Story Of Shen Yun
    Challenges We Face
  • Artists
  • Videos
  • What’s New
    What’s New
    News
    Blog
    In the Media
  • Press Releases
  • FAQ
  • Audience Reviews
  • Learn Newsletter Search
    English
  • 中文正體
  • 中文简体
  • 日本語
  • 한국어
  • Česky
  • Deutsch
  • Español
  • Français
  • Indonesia
  • Italiano
  • Nederlands
  • Polski
  • Português
  • Latviski
  • Pусский
  • Română
  • Svenska
  • Việt
  • Melayu
  • עברית
  • Norsk
  • Tickets & Info
    Menu
    Shen Yun Logo
    Tickets
    What’s New
    Menu
    • About Shen Yun
      • New to Shen Yun? 9 Characteristics of Shen Yun Our Story Life at Shen Yun The Untold Story Of Shen Yun Factsheet Challenges We Face Classical Chinese Dance Symphony Orchestra
    • Artists
    • Videos
    • What’s New
      • What’s New News Blog In the Media
    • Press Releases
    • FAQ
    • Audience Reviews
    Shen Yun 9 Characteristics Link Image

    What Makes Us Unique?

    DISCOVER THE 9 CHARACTERISTICS
    • Learn
    • Subscribe
    • Search
    Language
    • 中文正體
    • 中文简体
    • 日本語
    • 한국어
    • Česky
    • Deutsch
    • Español
    • Français
    • Indonesia
    • Italiano
    • Nederlands
    • Polski
    • Português
    • Latviski
    • Pусский
    • Română
    • Svenska
    • Việt
    • Melayu
    • עברית
    • Norsk
      Learn
      Back Learn > Han Chinese Clothing

    Han Chinese Clothing

    A
    A

    The Han people are by far China’s largest ethnic group. And so just as the Chinese language (yu) is known as Han-yu, Chinese clothing (fu) is known as Han-fu. In reality, though, traditional Chinese clothing has varied greatly from one dynasty to the next.

    Hundreds of variations exist in Hanfu. The clothing generally consists of loose gowns, wide sleeves, and flat, open collars folded over to the right. Rather than using buttons or strings, most were kept in place by a sash belt. High hats and wide belts are distinguishing marks of scholars and officials. Hanfu was remarkably versatile and easy to wear.

    At the same time, traditional Chinese clothing was serious business. The right clothes gave off an aura of refinement and dignity. It embodied the virtues of Chinese antiquity, and contributed to the culture’s perception of self.

    In The Book of Changes, or Yijing, a passage praises the three sovereigns—the Yellow Emperor, Yao, and Shun—for “ruling with their arms hanging in their sleeves.” These early rulers valued harmony between heaven and earth. As a result, the country stayed (mostly) peaceful, and they governed without worries, their hands literally tucked away as they watched the years pass.

    In another ancient reference, Confucius praises Duke Huan of Qi. Seeing inner-strife threatening to tear the country apart, the Duke convinced other lords to fight against the barbarians instead of each other. He standardized clothing styles in his kingdom and extended the rules to nine other lords, thus uniting them.

    These rules gradually extended to ways of dress, forming a standard for China’s next 3,000 years.

    • Harmony With Nature
    • Chinese Ethnic Groups
    • Ancient History

    April 24, 2011

    RELATED CONTENT
    • Leading History Han
      The Han Dynasty

    Previous

    Mongolian Ethnic Attire

    Next

    Mongolian Grasslands

    Tags

    • Harmony With Nature
    • Chinese Ethnic Groups
    • Ancient History
    RELATED CONTENT
    • The Han Dynasty
      Leading History Han
    Shen Yun logo golden
    Shen Yun logo golden

    Shen Yun Performing Arts is the world's premier classical Chinese dance and music company, established in New York in 2006. It performs classical Chinese dance, ethnic and folk dance, and story-based dance, with orchestral accompaniment and solo performers. For 5,000 years, divine culture flourished in the land of China. Through breathtaking music and dance, Shen Yun is reviving this glorious culture. Shen Yun, or 神韻, can be translated as: “The beauty of divine beings dancing.”

    About
  • New to Shen Yun?
  • Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra
  • Life at Shen Yun
  • Factsheet
  • Challenges We Face
  • Shen Yun & Spirituality
  • Meet the Artists
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Videos
  • Latest
  • About Shen Yun
  • The Artists
  • Reviews
  • In the Media
  • What’s New
  • Featured
  • News
  • Blog
  • Reviews
  • In the Media
  • Learn
  • Chinese Dance
  • Music
  • Vocal Music
  • Shen Yun Costumes
  • Digital Projection
  • Shen Yun Props
  • Stories and History
  • Shen Yun and Traditional Chinese Culture
  • Interact with us:
    Follow Us on Gan Jing World
    Sign Our Guestbook
    Get to Know More about Shen Yun
    on Our Streaming Platform
    Arts Proficiency Assessment Center
    Luxury Goods and Keepsakes
    Inspired by Shen Yun
    Shen Yun Dancer
    Shen Yun Performing Arts Official Website Copyright ©2025 Shen Yun Performing Arts. All Rights Reserved.
    Contact us Terms Privacy Site map