Questions
Why was Ancient Chinese fashion the way it was?
How important was silk to the Ancient Chinese?
Silk played an important role in Ancient Chinese culture and economy. Legend has it that a silk worm's cocoon fell into Leizu's, the wife of the 'Yellow Emperor' and unraveled. She realized it was a long, strong thread. Silk was extremely valuable and was an important status symbol. At first only royals could wear silk but it was later restricted to noblemen. During some dynasties silk was used as money. Foreigners paid high prices for silk. Silk was kept a secret in China and anyone caught smuggling Silk Worms or giving away the secret was killed. Silk was used also as ropes, canvas for painting, paper, fishing lines and bow strings.
What were the first types of clothes like?
The earliest types of clothes in Ancient China were made of materials such as animal skins and decorations and accessories were stones or animal teeth. 'Proper' clothes were invented by the Yellow Emperor 5000 years ago. By the Shang Dynasty the basic Ancient Chinese attire was invented. Later the long blouse was invented during the Zhou Dynasty.
What inspired designs?
Nature and dragons were the most common designs on Ancient Chinese clothes. In Ancient China the dragon was a very important symbol. The dragon indicated power. Dragons were mainly on the robes of the imperial family because the dragon was a symbol of power and because they were believed to have descended from dragons. Nature was also an important motif for designs. There were many designs that were inspired by willow trees, chrysanthemums, cranes and bamboo.
Did the environment affect what they wore?
The weather in China could be very different. It can range from tropical weather to high altitude polar conditions. The tops of mountains could drop to minus forty degrees Celsius. Summer in China is hot and dry. Clothes in Ancient China had to be loose fitting so they could keep cool in Summer and wear many layers to keep warm in Winter.
Why was Ancient Chinese clothes the way they were?
I think Ancient Chinese clothes were the way they were because of the resources they had and their beliefs. There were many legends that inspired Ancient Chinese clothing, accessories and make up. They painted flowers on their foreheads and had dragons on their clothes because of legends and their beliefs. Silk was and still is a very important, symbolic resource to China and that was a primary material they used to make their clothes. The clothes had their loose-fitting uncomplicatedly cut clothes because it would have been easy to produce. I think also because of their nature. There were many religions and beliefs that valued nature and because of that nature would have inspired many designs for clothing. I think Ancient Chinese clothing was very primarily inspired and motivated by their beliefs, nature and the resources they had.
How important was silk to the Ancient Chinese?
Silk played an important role in Ancient Chinese culture and economy. Legend has it that a silk worm's cocoon fell into Leizu's, the wife of the 'Yellow Emperor' and unraveled. She realized it was a long, strong thread. Silk was extremely valuable and was an important status symbol. At first only royals could wear silk but it was later restricted to noblemen. During some dynasties silk was used as money. Foreigners paid high prices for silk. Silk was kept a secret in China and anyone caught smuggling Silk Worms or giving away the secret was killed. Silk was used also as ropes, canvas for painting, paper, fishing lines and bow strings.
What were the first types of clothes like?
The earliest types of clothes in Ancient China were made of materials such as animal skins and decorations and accessories were stones or animal teeth. 'Proper' clothes were invented by the Yellow Emperor 5000 years ago. By the Shang Dynasty the basic Ancient Chinese attire was invented. Later the long blouse was invented during the Zhou Dynasty.
What inspired designs?
Nature and dragons were the most common designs on Ancient Chinese clothes. In Ancient China the dragon was a very important symbol. The dragon indicated power. Dragons were mainly on the robes of the imperial family because the dragon was a symbol of power and because they were believed to have descended from dragons. Nature was also an important motif for designs. There were many designs that were inspired by willow trees, chrysanthemums, cranes and bamboo.
Did the environment affect what they wore?
The weather in China could be very different. It can range from tropical weather to high altitude polar conditions. The tops of mountains could drop to minus forty degrees Celsius. Summer in China is hot and dry. Clothes in Ancient China had to be loose fitting so they could keep cool in Summer and wear many layers to keep warm in Winter.
Why was Ancient Chinese clothes the way they were?
I think Ancient Chinese clothes were the way they were because of the resources they had and their beliefs. There were many legends that inspired Ancient Chinese clothing, accessories and make up. They painted flowers on their foreheads and had dragons on their clothes because of legends and their beliefs. Silk was and still is a very important, symbolic resource to China and that was a primary material they used to make their clothes. The clothes had their loose-fitting uncomplicatedly cut clothes because it would have been easy to produce. I think also because of their nature. There were many religions and beliefs that valued nature and because of that nature would have inspired many designs for clothing. I think Ancient Chinese clothing was very primarily inspired and motivated by their beliefs, nature and the resources they had.