Dressing with Ritual: The Art of Chinese Traditional Attire
Program Introduction
This course introduces the traditions and cultural meanings of Chinese clothing, open to international students and foreigners living in China. In Chinese culture, dress has always been more than appearance: it carries values, etiquette, and a sense of philosophy. Participants will explore how traditional attire reflects both beauty and ritual, and understand its role in everyday life as well as in ceremonial practice.
Program Highlights
- Step back in time and explore the evolution of Chinese garments across dynasties, uncovering the stories woven into every stitch
- Experience the Five Rites like never before: coming-of-age, auspicious ceremonies, weddings, and elegant gatherings through authentic attire
- Try on exquisite Han, Tang, Song, and Ming wedding outfits and feel the elegance of historical fashion firsthand
- Master the art of traditional styling with jade pendants, hairpins, floral ornaments, scarves, and phoenix coronets
- Bring history to life by participating in a fully immersive traditional wedding ceremony, complete with ritual and pageantry
Schedule
Day 1
Morning: Lecture on the historical evolution and aesthetic characteristics of Chinese traditional costumes at Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, combined with a museum visit to analyze cultural styles of different dynasties.
Afternoon: Lecture on the Five Rites in Ancient Chinese Life, learning traditional clothing patterns, etiquette, and ceremonial norms.
Day 2
Morning: Lecture on dress etiquette for ancient Chinese elegant gatherings, including incense burning, painting, poetry, qin playing, and tea ceremonies.
Afternoon: Hands-on workshop to experience the dress etiquette of ancient literati in practice.
Day 3
Morning: Lecture and workshop on the evolution of ancient Chinese wedding clothing and etiquette, including traditional wedding procedures.
Afternoon: Lecture and workshop on Qin and Han Dynasty wedding attire, exploring styles, etiquette, and the “Xuanxun system.”
Day 4
Morning: Lecture and workshop on Tang Dynasty wedding dress types and etiquette, experiencing the charm of “half-armed robes” and paired red-and-green outfits.
Afternoon: Lecture and workshop on Song Dynasty wedding attire, learning about women’s crowns and men’s hairpins.
Day 5
Morning: Lecture and workshop on Ming Dynasty wedding clothing, understanding the “Feng Guan Xiapi” and “Da Hong Ji Suit.”
Afternoon: Lecture and workshop on Qing Dynasty and Republican Period wedding attire, exploring the “coat and red dress” and “long robe and horse coat.”
Day 6
Morning: Workshop experience of wedding attire from typical dynasties (Han, Tang, Song, Ming), with full styling for men and women.
Afternoon: Outdoor demonstration of traditional wedding etiquette, allowing participants to perform the ceremony and reflect on their experience.
Program Location:
Beijing
Language of instruction:
English, Chinese