Do you think ancient Chinese people didn't carry bags just because you rarely see them in TV dramas? Historical records clearly show that carrying bags has been a long-standing practice in China. In Liu Shishi's new period drama Kill My Sins, her character sports various bags with each outfit. Some netizens even counted one bag per costume! Where do you think ancient people kept their money? Did they really not carry bags?
Don't get too obsessed with Liu Shishi's large and small bags in the show. In fact, we've had our own bags since ancient times, and many would be considered trendy even today. Archaeological discoveries repeatedly prove that fashion's ultimate inspiration comes from Huaxia (华夏) culture.
A leather bag unearthed from Niya in Xinjiang, dating back to the Han-Jin period, stunned the world when it was revealed. It looked exactly like a modern saddle bag from a luxury brand - proving that this fashion trend existed over 1,600 years ago.
This isn't an isolated case. Ancient Chinese had all kinds of bags: saddle bags, handbags, crossbody bags, waist bags, box evening bags, backpacks, net bags, underarm bags... These discoveries show remarkable similarities between ancient and modern fashion across a millennium.
The Book of Songs·Greater Odes mentions: Nai guo hou liang, yu tuo yu nang (廼裹餱粮，于橐于囊). Here, Tuo (橐) refers to small bags while Nang (囊) means larger ones, both used for carrying provisions during long journeys. These waist-worn bags evolved into Pei Nang (佩囊), giving rise to idioms like Qing Nang Xiang Zhu (倾囊相助, emptying one's bag to help) and Kang Kai Jie Nang (慷慨解囊, generously opening one's purse).
Ancient Chinese carried bags of all sizes - not just women, but men too. Backpacks were a universal fashion item with various carrying methods: crossbody, backpack, clutch... making them both stylish and practical.
Tang Dynasty men wore Die Xie Dai (蹀躞带), belts with hanging straps for carrying small items like pouches, daggers, and knives - an everyday accessory of its time.
The most impressive might be the Jing Ji (经笈) or Xing Ji (行笈) commonly seen in depictions of Xuanzang. Woven from bamboo and rattan, these bags held books and clothes, protected from rain, and even had lighting equipment - a complete, ergonomic solution that predated modern outdoor backpacks. Scholars commonly used them when traveling to capital examinations.
The most familiar ancient bag today is probably the He Bao (荷包), prized for its delicate craftsmanship. Scented sachets came not just in fabric but also metal versions, holding fragrant balls that made fashionable accessories.
These diverse bags transcended time and social classes, becoming essential fashion accessories across eras. If ancient Chinese weren't fashionable, then who was? Discovering the beauty in our own culture surpasses chasing mass-produced international brands. May we see more traditional Chinese bags in daily life, enriching our fashion with authentic cultural aesthetics.
