Chinese symbols on clothing and their meanings

Introduction

The clothes designate all the constituent parts of the clothing. Generally, the garment depends on the circumstance to which it is worn. Even if the primary function of the garment is to cover a part or the whole body, it can however have different meanings in certain traditions.

As for Chinese culture, clothing is not as simple as it seems to be. In China, wearing certain types of clothing can connotate particular meanings. Some clothes have special Chinese characteristics and are worn for specific occasions.

Thus, the question arises of what is the meaning of the Chinese symbols present on their clothes. In order to know more about this fascinating subject on the Chinese culture, we will discover the Chinese symbols present on clothing and their meaning.

History of Chinese symbols

Still called sinograms, Chinese characters are the component logographical units of Chinese writing or China ideogram. Having experienced a great evolution over time, Chinese is a language that has gone through thousands of millennia.

Thus, the Chinese sinograms are not just simple signs with huts and lines traced in a hazardous way. Each of these Chinese characteristics connotes a precise meaning. Thus, Chinese culture has developed crucial interest in clothing from significant Chinese ideogram.

In addition to that, there is what we call "Chinese Kenji" (漢字), which are also signs from Chinese characters and the main role of which is to write part of the Japanese language as well.

Traditionally, the presence of some Symbols on clothes determines the nature of the person who carries it. It is therefore important to study the nature of each of these symbols of China on clothes in order to find each of their meaning.

The main Chinese symbols on clothing and their meanings

The history of China has experienced the use of patterns and symbols on clothing, each knowing meaning.

The Phoenix

In China, the Phoenix symbolizes beauty and purity. It is generally used on clothing of Chinese women part of the imperial family. In imperial China, it was the women of princes, princesses and cohabits of the Empress who wore the Phoenix. The empress was wearing clothes with dragon patterns.

The Dragon

Supreme power is the Chinese symbol of the dragon motif. The dragon was a particularly male whose port codified certain rules. Although worn by Chinese mandarins, the dragon was worn in different ways. The new emperors wore a dragon head from the front and the officials, the nobles wore the dragons in profile on their clothes.

Fish

Fish is a symbolic motif of prosperity in the Chinese civilization old. His pronunciation in Chinese corresponds to "yu" and is synonymous with wealth. The fish pattern on clothing is generally used to wish for a prosperous future to someone.

Lotus

Also loved by other peoples, the lotus is a common pattern on clothing in China. For them Tibetans, it is a sacred flower that symbolizes purity and holiness. The lotus also holds its value from a Legend of Chinese culture. This is the story of a charming lady with impressive beauty and always ready to help people. In China, the beauty and the purity are the Lotus symbols.

The peony

Symbolizing wealth and prosperity, the peony represents a very common pattern on Chinese female clothes. There peony is the favorite flower in China and occupies the place of Chinese national flower.

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum is a flower frequently used as a pattern on Chinese female clothes. It symbolizes the longevity in Chinese civilization.

How are Chinese symbols incorporated into Chinese clothes?

Chinese symbols are represented in Chinese clothes through colors and patterns. THE Choice of colors And patterns for a garment depends on their symbolic power and their meaning.

In China, the red color for example connotes the prosperity, luck while blue means tranquility and wisdom. As for the patterns, the dragon, the phoenix or even the lotus present on the clothes provide additional meaning to clothing.

How to choose the right pieces with the right symbols?

Choosing the right pieces with the right symbols can be a not very obvious task.  Before thinking of wearing a garment, it is essential to:

• Know it meaning and power of symbols found there.
• You also have to choose clothes satisfying your own personal tastes and your dress style.
• The value for money must be satisfied and must provide comfortable clothes that last a long time.

Is there a traditional Chinese style of clothing?

There is not a traditional style typical style for all the inhabitants of China. In ancient China, each dynasty had its own taste in terms of clothes. Thus, traditional costumes can vary across the country. This is why each region of the country has its own brands and characteristics on clothes.

Thus, traditional Chinese clothes emphasize the surface of the fabric. Both for men and for women, the majority of clothes were made in themselves, simply sewn but richly decorated with woven, applied or embroidered patterns.

This culture has not changed nowadays, so there is a diversity of Types of clothing specific to each tradition or dialect. This makes it difficult to generalize the idea of ​​a specific Chinese dress style.

Whatever traditional costumes emblematic of Chinese culture

The history of clothes is a striking fact in the Chinese civilization. It has experienced a great evolution over time. In Chinese civilization, Hanfu, Tang or Qipao are important distinctive signs.

Hanfu

Hanfu is an emblematic traditional costume of the Chinese culture, and dependent on Han ethnicity. Born over 4000 years ago, this costume is the oldest of all traditional clothing in China.

It is a long, buttons dress with the cross collar and a belt around the waist was generally accompanied. Wearing hanfu materializes the social status of a person in ancient China. In society, the rank of people was determined according to the width of the round or the length of the skirt.

QIPAO

Being a very famous Chinese garment in the world, the Qipao is the outfit traditional female in China. He is from Manchu And has experienced adjustments to its style over the years.

Qipao is a classic garment with side slits, sophisticated fabric buttons on the front era and a high collar. It is made from embroidered silk. Known as a garment of women in upper class, he embodies the sweetness, modesty and beauty of a woman.

Accompanied by patterns embroidered with gold or silver, red qipao is commonly worn in China as wedding dress.

The tang costume

Originally from the Qing dynasty, tang is a traditional costume similar to a type of jacket. It consists of knotted Chinese buttons, an opening on the front and a "Mao pass". Being the most popular among Chinese costumes, Tang is carried by the Chinese on several important occasions. They express their cultural identity through this costume during events such as the New Year.

The Mao costume

Mao is an elegant and unique costume of a kind. It’s constipated for men. It has a buttoned jacket including a tightened collar, four pockets and a loose pants.

It is after the establishment of the People's Republic of China That this costume took the place of symbol of proletarian unity. Chinese leaders still carry it today during important ceremonies.

Other Chinese symbols Meaning

Apart from the Chinese symbols present on Chinese clothes, there are also other Chinese symbols that accompany the believers On a daily basis by improving their lifestyles.

Chinese Symbol Happiness

In Chinese culture, the happiness is materialized by the Xǐ symbol (喜喜). It is written twice and means double happiness. We can offer this symbol as a gift in order to wish someone happiness. Chinese generally use this Chinese character for weddings.

Chinese Symbol Love

Used in China and in different Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Singapore, the character (爱) to I is the Symbol of love. Renowned for its beauty and its deep meaning, this Chinese character is often visible in the form of tattoos.

Chinese symbol courage

The (yǒng) 勇 is Chinese symbol or Chinese symbol of courage. Consisting of Radicals Force or Power in Chinese, this symbol embodies the strength and provides courage to the one who holds it.

Chinese Symbol Chance

Considered the symbol of luck in the Chinese tradition, the fú (福) combines the meanings "VAbundance and wealth " And "GOD OF GOD ». The fact of carrying this symbol brings the blessing and success in work and what is undertaken.

Chinese peace symbol

If you are looking for a harmonious life, make the symbol in (安) your ally on a daily basis. These Chinese Peace Characters keeps healthy and peaceful relations with loved ones.

How to write Chinese characters?

Contrary to The French alphabet which is made up of letters, the Asian alphabet and more precisely the Chinese alphabet is made up of Chinese letter or characters similar to traits, for them different from the Chinese logo. In number 1 to 36, these characters are put together to form a word.

Chinese letter writing imposes respect for a set of rules that are:

• Write from left to right
• Go from top to bottom
• First the simple line on the left, then the complex line on the right
• Draw the horizontal line before the vertical line that crosses it
• Draw the largest line then the smallest.
• Write the oblique line to the right after the oblique line going to the left.
• Draw the point last.

Conclusion

In summary, Chinese tradition has important historical and cultural values. Whether they are Chinese symbols on clothing or even simple symbols of beliefs, it is important to know each of their meaning in order to know how to wear them.