It's winter, and you're probably lying on the couch watching TV with a cup of hot cocoa in hand. Do you think you're happy? But do you know that in ancient times before the Song Dynasty, people didn't have quilts and heating equipment at all, how did they survive in the snow and ice?
The winter coat of the ancients
Before the Song Dynasty, cotton was not widely cultivated in the Central Plains, so cotton clothing was not commonplace. Ancient people mainly relied on animal skins, silk, linen and other materials to make winter clothes. Winter clothing from different regions, social classes, and periods of time also has its own unique features.
In the cold of the north, animal skins are the most common material for warmth. In ancient times, animal skins were used to make clothing and tents, and their thick properties made them the first choice for protection from the cold.
With the evolution of the times, animal leather products have become more and more refined. During the Han Dynasty, emperors and nobles wore lavish beast robes, which were robes made from the fur of various precious animals.
In the warmer parts of the south, silk is the most common thing to keep out the cold. Silk is one of the most important textiles in ancient China, and its soft, moisture-wicking properties adapt to the humid and rainy climate of the south.
Silk is also divided into different varieties and grades. During the Tang Dynasty, emperors and nobles wore elaborate brocade robes, which were made of high-grade silk and embroidered with gold and silver threads or colored threads with various patterns and patterns.
As for the common people, linen cloth is mostly used as the main material to keep out the cold, and its low price and simple production method make it suitable for large-scale production.
In the Song Dynasty, ordinary people wore simple and practical linen clothes, which were a type of robe made of ordinary linen cloth and increased in thickness with filling materials such as cotton, wool, and catkins.
The quilt of the ancients
Before the Song Dynasty, quilts were not widely used in the Central Plains. The quilts of ancient people were mainly made of fur, silk, linen and other materials, and they varied from place to place, from time to time, and from person to person.
In the cold areas of the north, fur is often used to keep out the cold. In ancient times, people used animal skins to make quilts and tents. The hides are thick and warm, and they can withstand the cold. Later, the processing methods and styles of fur became more and more diverse.
During the Han Dynasty, emperors and nobles liked to use beast quilts. The beast quilt is a large quilt spliced with various precious animal skins, which is both warm and majestic.
In the warm regions of the south, silk is often used to keep out the cold. Silk is one of the most important textiles in ancient China, light and soft, moisture-wicking, and adaptable to the humid and rainy climate of the south.
There are also different varieties and grades of silk. During the Tang Dynasty, emperors and nobles liked to use brocade quilts. The brocade quilt is a large quilt woven with high-grade silk and embroidered with gold and silver threads or colored threads with various patterns and patterns, which is gorgeous and exquisite.
Ordinary people often use linen cloth to keep out the cold. Linen cloth is a coarse cloth made of plant fibers such as hemp, ramie, cotton and linen, which is inexpensive, simple to make, and convenient for mass production.
There are also high and low varieties and quality of linen. During the Song Dynasty, the linen quilts used by ordinary people were made of ordinary linen, and the large quilts with reed flowers, catkins, cotton and other materials were filled to increase the thickness, which was simple and practical.
The ancient way people kept warm
Before the Song Dynasty, there were no modern heating facilities in the Central Plains. Ancient people generally used fire, charcoal, stoves, lamps, etc. for heating.
In the cold areas of the north, fire is often used for heating. In ancient times, people used fire to grill food and drive away wild beasts, and the fire emitted light and heat, which was warm and safe.
Later, the methods and forms of fire were also diversified. During the Han Dynasty, emperors and nobles used fire to burn ceramics and bronze ware, lighting spices and lamp oils to create a gorgeous and mysterious atmosphere.
In the warm areas of the south, charcoal is commonly used for heating. Charcoal is a black solid that is dried and fired from wood or other plants. Charcoal can burn for a long time, emit stable heat, and adapt to the climate of the south with more rain and less sun.
The variety and quality of charcoal also varies. During the Tang Dynasty, emperors and nobles used charcoal to make ink and drawing paper, and lit spices and lamp oil to create an elegant and romantic atmosphere.
Ordinary people, often use stoves for heating. A furnace is a vessel made of clay or iron that can be set on fire or charcoal to heat air or water.
The shape and size of the furnace can also be placed in different positions as needed. During the Song Dynasty, ordinary people used stoves for cooking and bathing, lighting spices and lamp oil, creating a warm and comfortable atmosphere.