| China, a fast developing nation of today has a history | | | | clothing had specific cultural meaning, with properly |
| dating over 5000 years. These 5000 years can be | | | | attired bodies reflecting order and control and |
| found in ancient scriptures. In fact, Ancient China was | | | | unadorned bodies and feet serving as visible signs of |
| one of the most cosmopolitan civilizations. This is | | | | disorder and dangerous nonconformity with the |
| evident from the various components that make up its | | | | individual risking association to barbarian outsiders. |
| culture. A rich culture was depicted in the ancient | | | | During the Sui Dynasty in the 500 AD, the emperor |
| Chinese clothing and dresses. | | | | declared that only the rich people could wear colors |
| As a nation, it is more of a conglomerate of varied | | | | while the poor people had to be dressed in blue or |
| tribes over many years. | | | | black. Later on this changed completely but the rule of |
| According to history, China became unified under one | | | | being properly attired to show stability in a personality |
| large empire in 221 B C. The Chinese civilization was | | | | prevailed. It was a true case of clothes maketh the |
| always an advanced one. Even in ancient times, the | | | | man. |
| daily routine comprised of the livelihood tasks of | | | | Apart from the type of robes in the ancient Chinese |
| pottery, baking and farming with silk making. In fact | | | | clothing, the symbols denoted on them is an equally |
| most of the ancient Chinese clothing for the elite was | | | | important indicator of the wearer's social standing. |
| made of silk! Over the centuries these routine interests | | | | Symbolism denotes social standing, moral messages, |
| turned into the quest for science and philosophy. | | | | and also told historical and legendary stories. |
| Since the culture was quite rich, there was a distinctive | | | | The symbols on ancient Chinese robes indicate the |
| language that developed. Though presently there are | | | | status of the individual who had worn the garment. For |
| up to 12 regional groups of language, Chinese was the | | | | example, the number of dragons on a robe indicates a |
| language that was spoken in ancient China right from | | | | higher or lower official of the imperial court. |
| the Han dynasty. | | | | There are some typical symbols that one will find on |
| The people of ancient China believe in the mandate of | | | | ancient Chinese clothing. |
| heaven. They worshiped many different gods, including | | | | The Sun, the Moon, and the Constellation, The Rock or |
| weather and sky gods along with a higher god who | | | | the Mountain, The Fu, The Dragon, The Axe-head, The |
| ruled all other gods known as Shang Ti. Chinese as a | | | | Flowery Creature, The Water Plant, The Sacrificial |
| race, worship their ancestors believing that when these | | | | Vessel, The Flames, The Grain, Crane, Geometric |
| died, they became gods too. | | | | Patterns, Bats, Butterfly and Water Motif. All these |
| Such was the prevailing situation in the ancient Chinese | | | | twelve imperial motifs signify various things. Only an |
| civilization. The effect was also seen on the ancient | | | | emperor could wear robes with all twelve symbols. A |
| Chinese clothing of the common man. Correct attire | | | | higher official could wear clothes with a maximum of |
| was regarded as the ultimate expression of Chinese | | | | eight symbols. |
| culture and identity, differentiating them from 'inferior' | | | | The work was so spectacular that it is a good thing |
| foreign neighbors while making social and gender | | | | that these restrictions are no longer in force in today's |
| distinctions within their society. The ancient Chinese | | | | day and age. |