The Song Dynasty was one of the most glorious periods in the development of culture and art in Chinese history, and it was also the period with the richest clothing culture. In the costumes of the Song Dynasty, as a unique clothing element, the gown has distinctive characteristics of the times and profound cultural connotation. The purpose of this article is to analyze the Song Dynasty gowns and the cultural connotation behind them, in order to have a deeper understanding of the charm of Song Dynasty clothing culture.
An overview of the Song Dynasty gowns.
The jacket, also known as the back and the squire, is a kind of outer garment worn by both men and women in the Song Dynasty. It features a straight collar placket, slits in the armpits, ankles or calves, and long, narrow and straight sleeves. The fabric of the gown is mostly silk fabric, which is rich in color and has exquisite patterns. In terms of wearing, the gown can be lined with a cape, covered with a cloak or matched with a skirt, showing the elegance and charm of Song Dynasty clothing.
The reason for the popularity of Song Dynasty gowns.
Practicality: The design of the gown is both ergonomic and practical, and adaptable to climate change. Its slit design makes it easy to walk and ride, while the straight collar placket makes it easy to slip on and keep warm.
Aesthetic: The fabrics and patterns of the Song Dynasty gowns are exquisitely designed, reflecting the superb textile skills and aesthetic level of the time. At the same time, the color matching and style changes of the gown are rich and diverse, which meets the psychological needs of people in pursuit of beauty.
Socio-cultural factors: The socio-cultural prosperity of the Song Dynasty provided the soil for the popularity of the gown. The depiction of clothing in the poetry and songs of literati and writers promoted the spread of clothing culture, while the rise of the citizen class promoted the diversification and individualization of clothing.
The cultural connotation of the Song Dynasty.
Hierarchy: Under the influence of the social hierarchy of the Song Dynasty, there were also strict hierarchical rules on the wearing of gowns. The gowns worn by people of different classes are different in terms of fabrics, colors, patterns, etc., reflecting the hierarchical concept of feudal society.
Confucianism: The design concept of the Song Dynasty jacket was heavily influenced by Confucianism. Confucianism emphasizes the concept of "etiquette" and pays attention to people's moral cultivation and the performance of their external image. Therefore, while pursuing comfort and practicality, the Song Dynasty jacket also paid attention to reflecting the identity and status of the wearer, highlighting the ideal personality image of "literary quality and courtesy" in Confucianism.
Aesthetic concept: The aesthetic characteristics of the Song Dynasty gown reflect the aesthetic concept of the society at that time. The Song people pursued a natural, elegant, and subtle aesthetic style, which is fully reflected in the design of the jacket. For example, the color of the gown is mostly used in light and fresh tones, and the pattern design tends to be natural elements and abstract geometric figures, and the overall style is simple and elegant.
Folk customs: As a kind of folk costume, the Song Dynasty jacket also carries rich folk customs. In folk weddings, funerals, festivals and other occasions, people will wear specific styles and colors of gowns to show respect and etiquette. These gowns often carry the history and tradition of the family, and carry people's yearning and pursuit of a better life.
Through the analysis of the Song Dynasty jacket and its cultural connotation, it can be found that the Song Dynasty jacket not only has unique artistic charm and practical value, but also carries rich historical and cultural connotations and social significance. It is an important part of the clothing culture of the Song Dynasty and an important carrier for the study of the society, culture and art of the Song Dynasty. In today's era, with the trend of the revival of traditional culture and the re-examination and study of traditional clothing culture, the cultural connotation and artistic value contained in the Song Dynasty jacket will be more deeply excavated and inherited.