The Hanfu worn in different dynasties, though similar, ranged in its own characteristics based on the dynasty. The article I am writing will hopefully help you understand the similarities and differences between clothing and hanfu throughout the timeline of dynasties. I will also show you how it has changed compared to modern hanfu.
- Xia (Hsia) Dynasty ca. 2100-1600 BCE
- Shang Dynasty ca. 1600-1050 BCE
- Zhou (Chou, pronounced “Joe”) Dynasty
- 3.1 Western Zhou (ca. 1046-771 BCE)
3.2 Eastern Zhou (ca. 771-256 BCE)
Spring and Autumn Period (770-ca 475 BCE)
Confucius (ca. 551-479 BCE)
Warring States Period (ca. 475-221 BCE)
Confucius (ca. 551-479 BCE)
Warring States Period (ca. 475-221 BCE)
221-206 BCE
Qin (Ch’in, pronounced “chin”) Dynasty/
Capital: Chang’an, present-day Xian
Qin Shihuangdi dies, 210 BCE
Qin Shihuangdi dies, 210 BCE
206 BCE-220 CE
Han Dynasty
Western/Former Han (206 BCE-9 CE)
Capital: Chang’an (present-day Xian)
Confucianism officially established as basis for Chinese state by Han Wudi (r. 141-86 BCE)
Confucianism officially established as basis for Chinese state by Han Wudi (r. 141-86 BCE)
Eastern/Later Han (25-220 CE)
Capital: Luoyang
220-589 CE
Six Dynasties Period
Three Kingdoms (220-265 CE)
Jin Dynasty (265-420 CE)
Period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties (386-589 CE)
Period of disunity and instability following the fall of the Han; Buddhism introduced to China
Cao Wei, Shu Han, Dong Wu
Cao Wei, Shu Han, Dong Wu
581-618 CE
Sui (pronounced “sway”) Dynasty
Capital: Chang’an (present-day Xian)
618-906 CE
Tang Dynasty
Capitals: Chang’an (present-day Xian) and Luoyang
907-960 CE
Five Dynasties Period
960-1279
Song (Sung) Dynasty
Northern Song (960-1127)
Capital: Bianjing (present-day Kaifeng)
Southern Song (1127-1279)
Capital: (present-day Hangzhou)
1279-1368
Yuan Dynasty
The reign of the Mongol empire; Capital: Dadu (present-day Beijing)
1368-1644
Ming Dynasty
Re-establishment of rule by Han ruling house; Capitals: Nanjing and Beijing
1644-1912
Qing (Ch’ing) Dynasty
Reign of the Manchus; Capital: Beijing
1912-1949
Republic Period
Capitals: Beijing, Wuhan, and Nanjing
1949-present
People’s Republic of China
Capital: Beijing
Prepared by Dr. Amy Vladeck Heinrich, Director, C.V. Starr East Asian Library, Columbia University, for the Columbia University Project on Asia in the Core Curriculum.
