12 Questions
What physical characteristic do Northern Chinese people tend to have?
Longer face with smaller eyes
What was the significance of clothing in Ancient China?
It symbolized status and profession
What was the only color that only the Emperor was allowed to wear?
Yellow
What was the significance of the color white in Ancient Chinese clothing?
It was worn when mourning
What material became popular with the poor during the Yuan Dynasty?
Cotton
What was the original Ancient Chinese clothing referred to as?
Han Chinese clothing
What is the primary difference between the Pien-fu and the Ch'ang P'ao?
The Pien-fu is a one-piece outfit, while the Ch'ang P'ao is a two-piece.
What was the significance of the length of a skirt in ancient Chinese clothing?
The length of the skirt indicated the wearer's social status.
Which of the following colors was exclusively reserved for the emperor and the imperial family?
All of the above
During which dynasty was the fundamentals of the Hanfu created?
Shang Dynasty
What was the significance of the dragon emblem on traditional Chinese imperial dress?
It was an exclusive affirmation of the emperor's power.
What was a distinctive feature of women's clothing in ancient China?
It had more ornaments and styles compared to men's clothing.
Study Notes
Physical Characteristics of Chinese People
- Most Chinese people have typical East Asian phenotype, characterized by slanted/almond-shaped eyes, triangular cheeks, black hair/eyes, and a skin tone perceived as yellowish by Westerners
- Northern Chinese tend to have longer faces with smaller eyes, slimmer noses, brighter skin tones, and "flatter" cheeks
Dress in Ancient China
- Clothing symbolized status and profession in Ancient China
- Rich people wore silk, while poor people made their clothes out of hemp or ramie
- There were many rules about who could wear what, with the Emperor being the only one allowed to wear yellow
- Colour of clothing symbolized emotion, with white worn during mourning and red worn to show joy and happiness
- Red was also worn by the bride at a wedding
Ancient Chinese Fashion
- Ancient Chinese fashion consisted mostly of loose-fitted robes
- Women wore tunics that reached the ground, while men wore tunics that reached their knees
- Sleeves were long and loose-fitting, and sashes were worn as ornamentation and to hold clothing together
- Darker shades of clothing were preferred over light ones, with light colours mostly worn by common people
The Hanfu
- The Hanfu was the original Ancient Chinese clothing that underwent modifications throughout the different dynasties
- There were three variations of Ancient Chinese garments: the Pien-fu, the Ch'ang P'ao, and the Shenyi
- The Pien-fu was a two-piece ceremonial costume, the Ch'ang P'ao was a one-piece ankle-length tunic dress, and the Shenyi was a two-piece top and trouser/skirt outfit
- The Hanfu was made up of a knee-length tunic tied with a sash, narrow cuffs, a narrow knee-length skirt, and a long piece of fabric that reached the knees
Social Hierarchy in Clothing
- The higher the rank, the better the clothes they wore
- This included the length of a skirt, the wideness of a sleeve, and the amount of ornamentation
- Gender-specific clothing emerged later, with women's clothing being more diverse with more ornaments, items, and styles
This quiz explores the physical appearance of Chinese people, including facial features and skin tone, as well as the dress of ancient Chinese people, including the significance of clothing in symbolizing status and profession. Learn about the differences in physical appearance between Northern and Southern Chinese people and how ancient Chinese clothing reflected social class.
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