The Curious Case of Chinas Historical Haircuts A G
The Han Dynasty's Unkempt Locks
During the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE), men and women alike wore their hair long, often reaching down to their waist or even lower. This was a time when personal grooming was seen as a symbol of social status, with longer hair indicating higher rank in society. However, this didn't mean that everyone had access to such luxuriant locks; only those who could afford it could maintain such hairstyles.
The Tang Dynasty's Pompadour Pomp
In contrast, during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), men sported a distinctive pompadour hairstyle where they would comb up their hair on top of their head and secure it with pins or combs. This style became synonymous with wealth and power in Tang society, reflecting the dynasty's prosperity and cultural achievements.
The Song Dynasty's Bun-tastic Buns
In the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE), both men and women adopted a more modest hairstyle featuring buns at the back of their heads for both practicality and aesthetics reasons. Women tied up their long tresses into tight knots secured by ribbons or clips while men sported smaller versions called "queue" which were held together by intricate braids.
The Ming-Qing Dynasties' Queue Craze
Following the fall of the Song dynasty came two centuries under Mongol rule during which Chinese people were forced to adopt foreign hairstyles like shaved heads or ponytails for military purposes before being replaced by Manchu rule after 1644 CE when all male subjects were required to adopt queue styles similar to those worn by Manchu warriors – an edict enforced until 1912 CE under Republic rule.
Modernizing Hairstyles in Contemporary China
Fast-forwarding through time we find ourselves today witnessing significant changes in Chinese hairstyling trends influenced heavily by globalization leading towards greater diversity from traditional cuts like queues & pigtails towards western inspired styles including pixie cuts bobbed hair & afros though there remains strong cultural identity still evident in many contemporary Chinese hairstyles embodying tradition alongside modernity seamlessly intertwined within contemporary society showcasing resilience & adaptability throughout history & culture amidst ever-evolving times
