Introduction to Hanfu

Hanfu refers to the traditional clothing of the Han Chinese people. Beginning with the Yellow Emperor, who "hung the garments and ruled the world," the tradition of Han Chinese attire has continued for over 3,700 years. During this time, Hanfu has evolved into a variety of styles, but its main form—characterized by the "cross-collar, right-over-left, upper garment and lower skirt"—has remained unchanged.

Shenyi is a straight-cut long robe that combines the upper garment and the skirt into one piece, which wraps around the body. While the pieces are cut separately, they are stitched together at the top and bottom. It is called "Shenyi" because of its deep, enveloping design.

Breakdown of the Shenyi:
襟 (Keen): The front of the garment.
交领右衽 (Cross-collar, right-over-left): The standard collar style of Hanfu, which resembles the letter "Y." The right-over-left style refers to the collar being tied to the right side of the body. The direction cannot be reversed; left-over-right is the style for non-Han peoples or the deceased.
祛 (Qu): The sleeve opening.
袂 (Mèi): The sleeve.
裳 (Cháng): The skirt.
曲裾 (Curved hem): A skirt style formed by the garment wrapping around.
Ruqun:
The Ruqun originated in the Warring States period and lasted through the Qing dynasty. Over the more than 2,000 years, despite changes in length and width, the basic form has remained the same. The Ruqun is the most basic form of Hanfu for women.

Breakdown of the Ruqun:
襦 (Ru): A short top.
袖子 (Sleeves): The sleeves of the Ru, usually long and narrow.
交领右衽 (Cross-collar, right-over-left): The standard collar style of Hanfu.
腰带 (Waistband): Made from silk or leather, used to secure the garment.
宫绦 (Silk cords): Silk ribbons typically tied in several loops at the center, hanging down to the ground, sometimes with a jade ornament to prevent the skirt from spreading open.
裙 (Skirt): The skirt, which can be made from six to twelve panels, available in various colors and styles.
Mianfu:
The Mianfu is the most formal attire worn by Chinese emperors during ceremonies. It consists of a 玄衣 (black robe) and 纁裳 (red skirt), symbolizing the colors of heaven and earth. The Mianfu is worn with a 冕冠 (Crown).

Breakdown of the Mianfu Crown:
延 (Top board): The top wooden plate, also known as the 冕板 (Mianban). It is rounded in the front and flat in the back, symbolizing the idea of "heaven is round and the earth is square." The back of the crown is slightly higher than the front, tilting forward, symbolizing the emperor's care for the people.
旒 (Liú): The hanging jade tassels on either side of the crown. Each tassel consists of 12 colored beads, with 12 colorful jade pieces arranged in a specific order.
帽卷 (Cap body): The body of the crown, which in summer is made from jade grass and in winter is made from leather.
玉笄 (Hairpin): Used to fix the hair on either side of the crown.
武 (Metal rim): A metal band at the bottom of the crown.
缨 (Tassel): Red silk cords that hang from the sides of the crown, tied under the chin for fixing the crown.
充耳 (Ear ornaments): Yellow jade pieces hanging from the tassels on both sides, symbolizing that the emperor should not trust slander.
天河带 (Heavenly River Ribbon): A red ribbon that hangs from the crown, extending down to the body.
Breakdown of the Mianfu:
交领右衽 (Cross-collar, right-over-left): The standard collar style of Hanfu.
袂 (Sleeve): The sleeve.
大带 (Wide belt): A belt made of silk.
革带 (Leather belt): A belt made from leather.
蔽膝 (Knee covering): A piece of clothing that hangs down from the waistband to cover the knees.