Popular fashion in ancient China
There are four remarkable aesthetic categories of these two dynasties, including clothing, famous porcelain, favoured flowers, and dominant literary form.
In addition, the waist skirt was raised extremely high to even the underarms (a picture provided on the right for reference) in order to show a chubby body shape.
[1] Therefore, women possess more freedom to make the clothing choice, by which they can display individuality, for example, through showing off body figure or dressing in favourite colours.
[1] The colours are usually pure and less bright, which represents Song people's different aesthetics that like simplicity, calmness and sense comparing to the unrestrained clothing style in Tang dynasty.
[1] However, in Song dynasty, even though the aesthetics is influenced by Neo-Confucianism to some degree that reflected in simplicity of clothing choices, the porcelain style still develops diversely.
[1] This tendency emerged from the essential Neo-confucianism that emphasizes strict order and absolute superiority-inferiority relationship and subordination between the monarch and subjects, father and son, and husband and wife.
[2] There are many colours such as yellow, auburn, green, white and navy used in the Sancai making, which reflects an open and flourishing culture in Tang and the pursuit of resplendence in aesthetics.
For example, the great poet Li Bai (李白) in Tang composed a series of typical and famous poems using tree peony to describe the beauty of the imperial concubine, Yang Yuhuan (杨玉环), and here is one of them:[5] Plum blossom, as a small and delicate flower, is regarded as a symbol of the spiritual quality of the Chinese nation's tenacity, perseverance and self-improvement.
[4] However, in the Song dynasty, the rise and development of Neo-Confucianism theory motivated the artists and literature to emphasise the moral quality and aesthetic taste in a sublime way.
Because the aesthetics in Song dynasty were dominated by a rationalist way of thinking influenced by Neo-Confucianism, adoring the spirits of those can express the beautiful qualities of human beings, such as perseverance, bravery and reason.
[10] With a stable political environment and powerful economic and military strength, China in Tang dynasty is a great nation for people to reside in and for poets to compose.
[10] However, because of the development and dominance of the examinations for officials instituted in Tang and Song Dynasties that needs profound and solid foundation of writing, higher literary ability are commanded and advocated in society.
[10] Moreover, the poetry including Shi and Ci are considered as "the most refined and elevated means of expression" which require significant literary skills, becoming appreciated and adorable.
[10] Gradually, these literature forms become the symbol of beauty of Chinese characters due to the profound cultural meanings and literary techniques behind, which are greatly pursued.
