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The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

author:Explore the past and talk about the present
The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes
The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

Text|Exploring the past and discussing the present

Editor|Exploring the past and the present

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

introduction

The Qin Dynasty was an important dynasty in Chinese history, which not only unified the six kingdoms and established a unified centralized state, but also made remarkable achievements in politics, economy and culture. Among them, Qin Dynasty clothing is also an important part of Qin culture, which not only reflects the social life, aesthetic concepts and cultural inheritance at that time, but also affects the clothing culture of later generations.

Therefore, studying the evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes has important historical and cultural value. Through the study of Qin Dynasty costumes, we can understand the life, culture and aesthetic characteristics of Qin Dynasty society, reveal the historical evolution and development trajectory of ancient Chinese clothing, and also discuss the inheritance and inheritance of Qin Dynasty culture, providing important historical materials and cultural heritage for in-depth understanding of ancient Chinese culture.

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

The basic characteristics of Qin dynasty clothing

The Qin Dynasty is an important dynasty in Chinese history, and its costumes also occupy an important place in the history of ancient Chinese costumes. The costumes of the Qin Dynasty were quite different in design and style from the previous Warring States period, and this difference was mainly reflected in the form and materials. During the Qin Dynasty, clothing was plain, simple, practical and durable, reflecting the pragmatic spirit of the Qin state.

During the Qin Dynasty, the types of clothing became more and more abundant, and there were obvious differences between men's and women's clothing. Men's clothing is mainly "clothes, fur, clothes, shoes", and women's clothing is mainly "clothes, skirts, clothes, shoes". The difference between men's and women's clothing is mainly reflected in the length of clothing, collar, cuffs, belt, etc. During the Qin Dynasty, the materials of clothing were mainly linen, cloth, silk, fur, etc., and the colors were mainly elegant, and dark series such as black, white and gray were also fashionable choices.

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

In addition, many special costumes appeared during the Qin Dynasty, such as soldiers' battle robes, generals' overlords, and emperors' dragon robes. These costumes not only had a special symbolic meaning in the society of the time, but also left a profound influence in later historical development.

Qin dynasty costumes are an important part of ancient Chinese costume culture, and their basic features include:

Simplicity: Qin Dynasty clothing was mainly simple, focusing on practicality and functionality. Due to the national characteristics of the Qin state itself and the policy of Qin Shi Huang attaching importance to production and military, Qin Dynasty clothing was mainly practical, pursuing practicality and durability, paying attention to functionality and practicality, and not paying attention to gorgeousness and decoration.

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

Unification: Qin Dynasty costumes maintained a certain degree of unity throughout the dynasty, forming a unique clothing culture. The unified system and strong centralized policy implemented by Qin Shi Huang made the costumes of the Qin Dynasty have a certain degree of uniformity in design and style.

Mainly skirt: The women's clothing of the Qin Dynasty was dominated by the skirt, which was a kind of robe with an upright upper body with a split hem. The neckline, cuffs, and hem of the skirt are more focused on embroidery and decoration. Men's clothing is dominated by robes, which are also a kind of robe, and unlike skirts, the hem of the robe is closed.

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

Pay attention to details: Qin Dynasty clothing pays attention to details and decoration, and the sleeves, neckline and hem of clothing are decorated with different decorations, such as embroidery, gold drawing, flower picking, etc., which reflect the aesthetic concept and cultural characteristics of the time.

Featuring color: Qin Dynasty clothing was characterized by color, and the color of clothing was mainly red, purple, black, green, yellow and other colors, reflecting the color aesthetic concept of the time.

Features that distinguish it from other dynasties

The characteristics of the costumes of the Qin Dynasty are obviously different from other dynasties, mainly in the following aspects:

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

Simple and practical: The costumes of the Qin Dynasty were simple and practical, and more simple than the ornate complexity of other dynasties. This is mainly because the social system of the Qin Dynasty was relatively centralized, the requirements for unity and standardization were relatively high, and the clothing also showed the characteristics of simplicity accordingly.

Black system: The costumes of the Qin Dynasty were mainly black, except for the bright red uniforms of the samurai class and the green uniforms of officials, most of the other clothes were black or gray-black. This contrasts sharply with the colorful costumes of other dynasties.

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

Fixed form: The form of clothing in the Qin Dynasty was very fixed, and each class had its own clothing regulations, which also reflected the characteristics of the centralized rule of the Qin Dynasty. For example, officials must wear prescribed official uniforms, and soldiers have their own uniforms, which are based on fixed rules and systems.

Emphasis on practicality: The clothing of the Qin Dynasty paid great attention to practicality, for example, shoes must be square-headed and flat-bottomed, which was conducive to walking and fighting. At the same time, the clothing of the Qin Dynasty has many detailed designs, such as collars, cuffs, belts, etc. have fixed styles and regulations, which are designed to better adapt to the needs of life and work.

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

The evolution of costumes of the Qin Dynasty

Qin Shi Huang's costume before the unification of the Six Kingdoms

Before Qin Shi Huang unified the six kingdoms, the costume culture of various regions of China had its own characteristics. Among them, the costumes of the Qin State were influenced by war, economy, politics and other factors, forming a unique style.

The State of Qin is located in the Guanzhong Plain, and its clothing is mainly based on clothing with the characteristics of the central region. The clothes are designed with simplicity and convenience, taking into account the practicality of wartime. Some warriors would sew embroidery or ornaments on their clothes to enhance the decorative effect and highlight the spirit of personal valor.

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

The Qin State also had a women's clothing called the "hundred-step skirt", which was woven with thin ribbons. It is said that wearing this kind of skirt can walk a hundred steps without falling apart, hence the name. In addition, the men of the Qin state also wore swords, and the shape of the sword also had its own uniqueness, often using sharp blades to adapt to the needs of war.

In general, the clothing design of the Qin State is simple and practical, taking into account the actual combat needs, and this style still continues in the clothing culture after the unification of the Six Kingdoms in the Qin Dynasty.

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

Changes in clothing in the early Qin Dynasty

The clothing of the early Qin Dynasty did not change much compared with the end of the Warring States period, but after the unification of the six countries by the Qin State, the clothing of the Qin Dynasty showed some obvious changes. Most notably, the costumes of the Qin Dynasty began to borrow elements from conquered countries.

After the unification of the six kingdoms by the State of Qin, the clothing of the Qin Dynasty was influenced by the clothing of various conquered countries, and some new changes appeared. For example, officials of the Qin Dynasty began to wear clothing known as "General Pi's uniform," which was a combination of elements of Qin and Korean clothing. In addition, soldiers of the Qin Dynasty began to wear "knightly uniforms" composed of elements of Zhao and Korean costumes.

In addition, the Qin Dynasty also began to implement the "clothing ban", stipulating that the people could only wear a simple and simple clothing, and it was forbidden to wear gorgeous clothing. This policy has also had a certain impact on the development of clothing, promoting the development of clothing in a simple and practical direction.

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

Changes in clothing at the time of the Qin and Han dynasties

During the Qin and Han dynasties, with the change of social system and the increase of cultural exchanges, Qin dynasty costumes gradually evolved into Han dynasty costumes. The main changes include the following:

Shape changes: Han dynasty clothing gradually became rich and diverse, and the style of robes became looser and more comfortable, especially the loose and flowing sense of women's clothing. Han dynasty dresses such as skirts, jackets, and pants were also more diverse and colorful.

Material changes: The material of Han dynasty clothing also changed, silk was used more extensively, and new materials such as cotton began to appear. The use of these materials brought more variation and innovation to Han dynasty clothing.

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

Color changes: The colors of Han dynasty clothing became more vivid, mostly using bright colors such as red, green, and yellow. In addition, Han dynasty costumes often used decorations such as gold and silver threads and precious stones, making them more magnificent.

Style changes: The style of Han Dynasty clothing is more elegant and gorgeous than that of the Qin Dynasty. On the basis of inheriting the clothing of the Qin Dynasty, Han Dynasty clothing added more innovations and changes, making Han Dynasty clothing have a far-reaching influence in later generations.

The influence of Qin dynasty costumes on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

Influence on the clothing of later generations

Qin Dynasty costumes occupy an important position in the history of ancient Chinese clothing, which not only represents the development level of society at that time, but also has a profound impact on the development of clothing in later generations. Here are a few aspects of the influence of Qin dynasty clothing on later generations:

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

1. Form a unified clothing standard

Before the Qin Dynasty, the dress differences between the six countries were very large, and there was no unified dress standard. After Qin Shi Huang unified the six countries, he unified the clothing characteristics of various places, forming the clothing standards of the Qin Dynasty, which had an important impact on the development of clothing in later generations.

2. Promote Hanfu

At the time of the Qin and Han dynasties, Hanfu gradually became the mainstream clothing and became the representative of ancient Chinese clothing. The costumes of the Qin Dynasty played an important role in promoting the formation and development of Hanfu.

Form a uniform clothing style

The clothing style of the Qin Dynasty was simple and generous, forming a unique style, which was widely used in the clothing design of later generations and had a far-reaching influence.

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

3. Form a fixed clothing structure

The clothing structure of the Qin Dynasty was relatively fixed, basically composed of tops, bottoms, and skirts, and this structure was also widely used in later generations of clothing design and became a basic clothing structure.

Impact on culture

The change in clothing in the Qin Dynasty was not only a change in appearance, but also reflected the changes in the society and culture of the time. After the Qin Dynasty unified the Six Kingdoms, Qin Shi Huang vigorously promoted Legalist ideology, emphasizing the subordination of the individual to the interests of the state, which permeated the aspect of clothing. For example, the official robes of officials and the uniforms of soldiers are strictly regulated, without excessive decoration and personalized symbols, expressing the idea that the collective interests of the country are higher than the interests of individuals.

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

In addition, the Qin Dynasty also borrowed the style of clothing from other countries, such as the collar of the State of Chu and the boots of Korea. This cultural fusion promoted the diversity of clothing and reflected the openness of the Qin dynasty.

In terms of art, the change and diversification of costumes can also be seen in the terracotta figurines of the Qin Dynasty. For example, details such as crowns and flower ornaments appear in the terracotta figurines of the Qin Dynasty, which were not present in early clothing. These changes and details reflect the society's pursuit of beauty and the emphasis on clothing at that time.

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

Impact on the economy

The impact of clothing on the economy of the Qin Dynasty can be viewed from two aspects: one is the production and trade of clothing, and the other is the consumption of clothing.

In the Qin Dynasty, the production of clothing was mainly manual production, and with the implementation of unification, the style of clothing in various places was gradually unified, which also promoted the industrialization of clothing. At the same time, while implementing economic policies such as the average field system and the law of conscription, the Qin Dynasty had regulations and regulations on production and trade. These measures have also had an impact on the production and trade of clothing, which is conducive to promoting the development and prosperity of the clothing industry.

On the other hand, clothing as a consumer product also has an impact on the economy. During the Qin Dynasty, the clothing of the aristocracy and upper classes was the object of production by many craftsmen and merchants, and their high consumption levels promoted the development of handicrafts and commerce. In addition, the policy of conquering foreign races implemented by Qin Shi Huang also brought more exotic clothing to the nobility, enriched the clothing culture, and promoted foreign trade.

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

Qin dynasty costumes had a profound impact on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

The costumes of the Qin Dynasty have a profound influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes, mainly in the following aspects:

A centralized unified state was established, and the standardization and popularization of clothing was promoted.

The centralized system implemented by the Qin Dynasty promoted the development of clothing standardization, and people from different regions and social classes gradually became uniform. At the same time, the Qin Dynasty also implemented a policy of "forbidding aliens in clothing", which limited the diversity of folk costumes and made officially prescribed clothing mainstream.

The introduction of foreign clothing elements has enriched Chinese clothing culture.

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

When the Qin Dynasty conquered other countries, it not only brought foreign culture and customs, but also integrated the elements of clothing from other countries into Chinese clothing culture. For example, from the Warring States period Qi, Chu, Han and other places brought a variety of different clothing elements, such as robes, skirts, belts, silks, etc., these elements were fused into the Qin Dynasty costumes, forming a new style and form.

It highlights the identity and status of different social classes.

The Qin Dynasty implemented a hierarchical system, social classes were distinct, and clothing became an important symbol of status and status. For example, officials have different ranks and colors, and officials of all levels have different costumes to show their status and power.

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

It provides an important historical and cultural heritage for the costume culture of later generations.

The costume culture of the Qin Dynasty was an important part of ancient Chinese costume culture and had important historical and cultural value. The study and protection of costumes of the Qin Dynasty not only helps to understand the history and culture of ancient Chinese society, but also provides important historical and cultural heritage for the inheritance and development of costume culture in later generations.

The evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty and their influence on the history of ancient Chinese costumes

Author's opinion:

The historical value and cultural significance of the evolution of costumes in the Qin Dynasty are very important. First of all, the Qin Dynasty is an important dynasty in Chinese history, and its clothing culture represents the characteristics and styles of the society at that time and has important historical value. Secondly, the evolution of clothing in the Qin Dynasty influenced the development direction of Chinese clothing in later generations, showing the unique charm of ancient Chinese clothing culture and having important cultural significance.

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[3] Qin Dynasty Costume Etiquette Examination[J]. WANG Ting. Journal of Xi'an University of Arts and Sciences (Social Science Edition). 2011(03)

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