Hanfu accessories

'diamond'), on the other hand, was typically not used in traditional Chinese jewellery as it considered too bright and vulgar; and thus, it was generally avoided.

[9] According to ancient Chinese beliefs, jade bracelets should be worn on the left hand as it is closest to the heart.

[13] Ancient er dang were made out gold, jade, silver, ivory, marble, glass and crystal.

[14] When used on headgear, the chong er were a representation of self-discipline and introspection, both of which were important required characteristics in Chinese culture; the purpose of these jade pendants decorations thus reminded its wearer that he should avoid hearing and listening to anything without careful consideration and avoid slander while simultaneously remind the wearer that he should show humility and listen to good suggestions.

[12][14] These jade pendants gradually spread from the Emperor to officials and scholars, to women who would then hang it to their Chinese hairpins.

[13] Based on archaeological findings, it appears that it was a popular trend for ancient women to only wear a single er dang (especially on the left ear) instead of pairs of earrings.

[13] During the Song dynasty that women started to piece their two ears and wore er dang; these earrings could be made with gold and pearls.

[12] In the Ming dynasty, the practice of wearing a single earring on the ear was not customary for Chinese men, and such practices were typically associated with the non-Chinese people living along the northern and north-western borders; however, there is an exception: young Chinese boys would wear a single ring-shaped earring attached to their ear as an amulet to protect them against evil spirits.

[16] From the middle of the eighteenth century, Manchu women adopted the Han Chinese single earring despite breaking the Manchu dress code and the laws which prevented them from wearing Han Chinese women clothing; this frustrated the Qing emperors.

[12] Rings which were mostly made of precious materials, such as jade, gold, and silver, were also bestowed presents to accomplished court officials and they were used as love token by couples.

[11] It is a ring-shaped ornament developed in ancient China, which is hung on the neck and chest, worn on the head, arms and legs.

[3] The changmingsuo is often made with precious materials, such as gold, silver (which is also believed to ward off evil and bring good luck[2]: 213 ), and jade, and having auspicious words carved on it.

[3] The changmingsuo is also a manifestation of the blessing from the older generation who hoped that the child would live a long time (longevity) and remove illness (health).

[2]: 213  Both blessings of longevity and health form part of the concept of wufu (Chinese: 五福; lit.

[23] Ensemble of jade pendants and/or jade strings which were combined with other precious materials (such as silver or gold accessories) were called jinbu (Chinese: 禁步); the jinbu were a type of yaopei (waist accessories) which were typically worn by women to press down the hemline of their clothing.

[3] The jinbu appeared thousands of years ago and were initially only worn by nobles, but with time, it was gradually adopted by all women regardless of their social ranks.

When advancing, he inclined forward a little; he held himself up straight; and in all these movements, the pieces of jade emitted their tinklings.

So also the man of rank, when in his carriage, heard the harmonious sounds of its bells; and, when walking, those of his pendant jade-stones; and in this way evil and depraved thoughts found no entrance into his mind.It is currently used as a form of fashion accessory used by hanfu enthusiasts.

[11] Yajin (Chinese: 压襟; pinyin: yājīn) are used as press lapels on upper garment ornaments; it could include pendants, hebao, and fragrant sachet, and shibazi.

[26] The shibazi sometimes have hanging buckles; they would be hung on the right lapels of upper clothing or could be worn around the wrist like a regular bracelet.

[29] (裹肚) or Weidu (圍堵) (看带) (披帛) or peizi (帔子) Hebao, Chinese purses or sachet, are currently used as a form of fashion accessory used by hanfu enthusiasts.

[46] The arts of fan-making eventually progressed to the point that by the Jin dynasty, fans could come in different shapes and could be made in different materials.

[49] Nowadays, Chinese musical instruments, such as dizi and guqin, are both common fashion accessory among Hanfu enthusiasts.

[50]: xviii  This ban was soon lifted following the founding of the Tang dynasty, and according to the Tang legal code, people were allowed to carry light weapons, bows and arrows, swords, shields, and short spears and were only banned from using professional military weapons.

'The Origins of Things') by the Gao Cheng of the Song dynasty, around the year 1100 BC during the reign of King Wen, women started to use powder and in the court of Qin Shihuang around the 3rd century BC, all imperial consorts and ladies-in-waiting were already using rouge as cosmetics and were drawing their eyebrows.

[60]: 3  The use of white makeup powder made of freshwater pearls can be traced back to the Northern Song dynasty.

[62] Light skin was a desirable trait for Asian communities, including the Chinese people, long before any contact with the Europeans[63]: 12  instead it was due to it association with social economic and/or occupational status class, a concept which can be traced back to the Han dynasty when commoners, such as farmers and labourers, would work outside all day which resulted into darker, tanned skin tone, while those who came from a wealthier families could spend their days indoors and were spared from having to work outside in the sun.

[62] This belief continues to remain rooted in present-day China where white skin is believed to represent being part of the elite class; and thus, Chinese people continue to take a lot of measures to ensure that their skin remain white and beautiful.

[67]: 232 Nail polish was a popular cosmetic enhancement in early China and can be traced back to approximately 3000 BC.

[60]: 3  Chinese royalty used nail polishes which were gold, silver, black and red in colour and were made with bee wax, gum Arabic, and egg.