Hanfu is the traditional clothing of the Han ethnicity. With a long history and rich cultural heritage, Hanfu embodies China’s aesthetic and ceremonial norms spanning thousands of years.
The Han people wore Hanfu from the era of Huangdi until the end of the Ming Dynasty. Its most representative characteristics include: Jiaoling Youren (Crossed Collar and Right Lapel), where the front sections of the garment intersect, with the left side overlapping the right to form a “y” shape—this remains the most distinct cultural symbol of Hanfu; Baoyi Bodai (Loose Robes and Wide Sashes), which pursues voluminous sleeves and silhouettes to showcase a graceful, ethereal Chinese aesthetic; and Xidai Yinkou (Hidden Fastenings and Tied Straps), as Hanfu rarely uses buttons, opting instead for fabric ties that allow for adjustable fit while ensuring the overall lines remains fluid and seamless.
As Han people’s dynasties succeeded one another, Hanfu evolved into a variety of forms. Categorized by era, it primarily includes the raiment and headgear of the Zhou and Han, Wei and Jin, Sui and Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties. This site will introduce each of these styles to you in detail in the upcoming blogs.