Preface
In ancient times, clothing was often not only a decoration, but also a symbol of status and status. Amazingly, a hat alone can tell a person's status.
Behind this seemingly simple dress code, there is a profound clothing culture and etiquette concept of the ancients. How can a seemingly ordinary piece of clothing carry such a heavy weight of power and status symbol?
In that hierarchical ancient society, the value of a hat could even determine a person's life and death. Today, let's talk about the secrets of power that are stitched together with needles and threads.
The iron fist of the emperor
The first monarch of the Great Qin Empire, Qin Shi Huang, he had an iron heart. Under his rule, peace finally returned to the world, but at the same time it paid a heavy price.
In the late autumn of 221 B.C., King Yingzheng of Qin stood on the high platform of Xianyang Palace, overlooking this newly unified territory. His gaze was like a blazing fire, burning with an insatiable thirst for power. Beside him, Minister Li Si bowed his head respectfully, holding a stack of brand-new codes in his hand. "Your Majesty, this is our new codified law, which is particularly strict on dress. "
King Qin Yingzheng nodded, his brows furrowed. He knew that in order to consolidate his hard-won rule, any possible elements of unrest must be curbed at the root. As a result, a decree came into being, which stipulated the rank of dress from the commoner to the nobility, and anyone who exceeded the rules would be severely punished.
This decree was like a merciless sword, cutting off all imitation of the people's clothing of the superior. Since then, clothing has become an invisible chasm, dividing people from life.
Everyone lives cautiously on both sides of this chasm, for fear that one wrong step will be doomed. This hierarchical social order not only suppressed the freedom of the people, but also stifled the possibility of upward mobility. Qin Shi Huang's iron-fisted rule left a deep shadow on future generations.
Power struggles in the Han Dynasty
Time flies and comes to the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Although the law has been relaxed, the hierarchy of dress is still deeply entrenched. Whenever Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was paraded, there was always a black ocean in front of him. These black-robed officials wore various colored ribbons around their waists, like beacons to guide the course, allowing the emperor to discern their rank at a glance.
It's a silent game of thrones, where everyone is looking for their place. And on the crown above their heads, the difference in the number of beams is like a ladder to the pinnacle of power, one step at a time, leading people to glory or abyss. The officials climbed this ladder, every step was full of hardship and sweat, and every footprint was engraved with their glory and dreams.
Emperor Wu of Han's gaze wandered over these ribbons, and he could feel the anxiety and eagerness in the hearts of the officials. These people are not only fighting for their own status, but also for the interests of their families and gate valves. They are always vigilant about each other's movements, for fear that one of them will be overtaken by their colleagues. This kind of silent wrestling became an important driving force for the operation of the Han Dynasty.
Although the emperor held the highest power, he also relied on these officials to maintain the system. Therefore, the relationship between them is both cooperation and competition. The hierarchy of clothing has become an important rule of this power game, so that everyone knows their position and proportion.
The peerless elegance of the Tang Dynasty
With the passage of time, we came to the Tang Dynasty, which was extraordinary. Under this prosperous era, the system of clothing has reached unprecedented glory. On the streets of Chang'an City, the prime minister and the ministers of civil and military affairs strutted with their heads high, and the crowns above their heads shone in the sun, like the brightest stars in the night sky.
Black and purple silk intertwine, silver lace swaying gently in the breeze, and the sparkle of gemstones makes people dare not look directly. The hat is more than just a decoration, it is a declaration of power, a symbol of status. The prime minister's steps were firm, and every step seemed to have carved a deep mark on the earth, and the purple-black silk crown was the best proof of his authority.
In the court of the Tang Dynasty, the crown worn by civil officials above the fifth rank is also eye-catching. They rise high into the sky, their red silk cloth burning like a flame in the sun, and the gold and silver lace and precious stones are not as lavish as the silk crowns, but they are still awe-inspiring.
The owners of Weng Guan stood in the court, their eyes blazing, and their hearts surging with pride and passion. They know that they have stood at the top of power, and this crown is the best proof of their struggle.
These ornate crowns are not just an ornament, but a status symbol. They demonstrated the status and power of the wearer, and became an important symbol in the Tang Dynasty bureaucracy. This hierarchy of clothing not only maintained social order, but also became an effective means for rulers to control and divide the masses.
The Song Dynasty's hat-wing dispute
In the blink of an eye, we have come to the Song Dynasty, where there were many literati. During this period, the longer the wings of the officials' hats, the stronger the pride in their hearts. In the court, a tall feather hat is like a phoenix about to fly, and their owners walk by, and everyone else bows their heads, as if they are dodging the sharp sword halberd.
This obsession with the length of the hat's wings stems from the hierarchical concept of the Song Dynasty bureaucracy. In this era, the status and power of officials are often reflected through the details of their clothing. The length of the hat wings not only represents an individual's qualifications and achievements, but also reflects his or her status in the imperial court.
However, this vanity also brought a tragedy. During the Northern Song Dynasty, Fu Bi was a highly respected scholar of Hanlin. One day, he wore a black gauze hat that symbolized the spirit of the scholar and walked into the court meeting, but unexpectedly angered Zhao Pu, the minister of the main war faction.
Zhao Pu's anger erupted like a volcano, and his broadsword slashed a bolt of lightning across the court, pointing directly at the top of Fu Bi's head. At that moment, all whispering stopped abruptly, and the air in the court froze.
Fu Bi fell in a pool of blood, his black gauze hat rolled to the ground, and the hat he was once proud of became the end of his life. This tragedy proves once again that in the power games of the Song Dynasty, the symbolism of clothing went far beyond practicality and became an important weapon in the struggle for status.
A century later, when the famous general of the Southern Song Dynasty, Lu Benzhong, was guarding the city in Dengzhou, he also wore a peacock feather on his head, which was a symbol of his merits. However, in the eyes of the powerful minister Qin Hui, this is a challenge to his authority. Qin Hui's rebuke was like a cold wind in winter, piercing and cold.
Lu Benzhong was dismissed and investigated, and on the way to exile, his heart was full of unwillingness and grief. Eventually, he died in exile, and the peacock feather lost its former luster on the top of his gray-haired head, becoming a witness to his tragic fate.
The symbol of power of the Manchu Qing Dynasty
During the reign of the Manchus, the differences in clothing became more pronounced. The round-necked hats of the Manchu magnates were filled with peacock feathers, and the red feathers were particularly dazzling in the golden court. Among the Han officials, only those generals with outstanding merits can receive this supreme honor.
More than just an ornament, it is a symbol of power and a declaration of status. In this day and age, a hat is worth even more than life itself. The Manchu rulers were well aware that the hierarchy of clothing was not only a way to maintain social order, but also an effective means of consolidating their rule.
Through strict dress codes, the Manchu royal family was able to assert its supremacy. For Han officials, being able to wear a peacock feather was not only an honor, but also meant that they had gained the trust and recognition of the Manchu rulers. This hierarchy of clothing became an important tool for the Manchu rulers to control and divide the Han elite.
Even in the final years of Manchu rule, this hierarchy of dress remained deeply entrenched. It not only affects the status and power of officials, but is also deeply imprinted in the psychological structure of society as a whole. The continuation of this hierarchical concept became an important support for the maintenance of Manchu rule.
Tan Sitong's voice of awakening
The long river of history has flowed endlessly, and it has come to modern times. The iron hooves of the great powers trampled on the land of China, and the crisis of the country was like a sharp sword hanging over the head. At this time, a young reformer stood up, and he was Tan Sitong.
Tan Sitong's gaze penetrated the fog of thousands of years and put forward the concept of "freedom of clothing". Although his voice was weak, it was as powerful as spring thunder. "Freedom of clothing is a natural right of man, how can he be bound by rank?
Tan Sitong's appeal stems from his deep reflection on the hierarchy of traditional Chinese clothing. He saw that this system not only suppressed people's freedom, but also became a tool for rulers to maintain their privileges. In his view, only by breaking this hierarchical concept can people be truly emancipated and society usher in real progress.
However, the old conservative forces were like an impassable wall, and the anger of the Empress Dowager Cixi ruthlessly stifled Tan Sitong's dream of reform. In his last days in prison, his heart was filled with infinite hopes for the future, but he also knew that his life was coming to an end.
Tan Sitong's sacrifice is like a spark, igniting the fire of change. His thoughts, like spring breeze and rain, are quietly sown in people's hearts, waiting for the day when the ground will be broken. This young reformer interpreted the value of freedom with his life and became a spiritual benchmark for future generations to pursue progress.
epilogue
From the Qin and Han dynasties to the Tang and Song dynasties to the Manchu Qing dynasty, the symbol of power in clothing ran through ancient societies. It is not only a piece of clothing to cover the body, but also a portrayal of status and status, and an important tool in the struggle for power.
It was not until modern times, with the awakening of the mind, that the concept of "freedom of clothing" was germinated. It's a long process, but it's a sign that people will eventually be freed from the shackles and reborn.
The symbol of power of clothing may gradually disappear with the changes of the times, but the meaning of its existence will always be engraved in the long river of history, witnessing the progress and awakening of human civilization.