Talking about the idea of beauty in Chinese history

Women is always playing important roles in society no matter as a mother to children and wife for men. We always says Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus. However, even the idea of beauty had been also changing in past 5,000years in Chinese history.

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1.       The Shang and Zhou Dynasties (1046–771 BC)

Keyword: Helen of Troy(women cause damage)

In this period of time, people starting to have meaningful concept for what beauty it is.

However, women is like a sacrificed trophy because too many sad story incurred by women, which is not fair to women at all. There were many wars because kings fight for woman, or empire listen to his woman and is manipulated by his woman to make many wrong decision, finally come to the end of the country. Nevertheless, how come we blame on the beautiful woman instead of stupid man who lose his judgment?

1.    Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD)

In this dynasty, the trend of woman’s beauty is preferred by kings who is elegant, good at singing and dancing but graceful slim type of female. The dress style ten to be simple and not very different with how man wear. However, women start to know which to be white in skin could cover the many imperfection so women start using make up and power as skin foundation.

From now and then, it set up the basic style of classical Chinese beauty. 

2.    Tang Dynasty (618 – 906)

In the period, because the power of kingdom is very invincible and rich, in order to show off the wealthy of country, the chubby, healthy and rich type of women become of mainstream for idea of beauty. Thus, women wear much more open and revealing. Sometime even wear low cut dress.

It is symbol of this powerful and sexy generation. 

3.Song Dynasty (960 – 1279)

Because different aspect of effect such as politic, economy and culture, people start admiring the the true, the good and the beautiful. Women turn into modest, gentle and pure as trend from flamboyant. So people admire women who is thinner, not skinny and small tits. 

4. Qing dynasty (1911–1912)

Then come to the Qing dynasty, here is significant change to fashion of hairstyle and dress

When the Manchus ruled China during the Qing dynasty, they used an administrative division called the Eight Banner system. Originally only the Manchu households were organised within this system, but over time Mongols and Han Chinese were incorporated. The Manchus, and anyone living under the Eight Banners system, wore different clothing from ordinary civilians. Thus they became known as Banner People (旗人 pinyin: qí rén)

Because of that Han Chinese is blending with Manju, people care about girl is beautiful with standard who is tall, soft and slim to body curve.

Therefore, there is unique dress is called ‘’旗袍’’. The original qipao fitted loosely and hung in an A-line.^[8] It covered most of the wearer's body, revealing only the head, hands, and the tips of the toes. The baggy clothing also served to conceal the figure of the wearer regardless of age.With the special design, women can show their good body curve when they wear 旗袍

Finally I want to say, no matter what idea of beauty is changing, I think beauty is always come from inside not just superficial appearance. We also say that in Taiwan ‘’認真得女人最美麗’’ ‘’ Rènzhēn dé nǚrén zuì měilì’’ which mean Earnest Women are the Most Beautiful.

I also beliver ‘’ beauty is in the eyes of beholder’’.

Base on this theory, I think whoever you are, men or women, we have to enhance our intelligence and knowledge but don’t forget to dress up your self. Let us make our self beautiful from inside out.