Why did the concubines of the Qing Dynasty wear long nail covers?Not only for the sake of beauty, but also for the convenience of the emperor
Why did the concubines of the Qing Dynasty wear long nail covers?In addition to beauty, it is more for the convenience of the emperor. China's long history has accumulated countless interesting cultural elements. With the change of dynasties, the Manchu dynasty officially gained a foothold in this rich land, and its rise marked the end of the feudal dynasty. It was during this historical period that the Kangxi and Qianlong dynasties flourished, and the concubines wore gorgeous aristocratic costumes, which formed a sharp contrast with the simple and leisurely life of the common people.
We know that the status of a concubine in the harem is not only related to her family background, but also depends on the favor of the emperor. However, not everyone can be favored by the emperor like Zhen Huan in "The Legend of Zhen Huan", and there are still some concubines who are content to silently wait for the emperor's attention in their insignificant lives.
So the question is, there are so many concubines, how can the emperor recognize them?This is the origin of the long nails of concubines in the Qing Dynasty. Their nails are thin and long, which is not only beautiful, but also plays an important role. Most importantly, they could make the emperor's daily life easier.
In various versions of Qing court dramas, a pair of long nail headdresses always appear in the foreground. These nail covers were skillfully worn on the ring and ring fingers by the concubines, and the pure gold sparkled and priceless. If you look closely, the patterns engraved on your nails are breathtaking, beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
These armor sets were made by highly skilled craftsmen in the court, and their beauty depended on their different locations and characteristics. Usually, the queen's nails are the most elegant, as it symbolizes her nobility and dignity as an empress. Other privileged concubines were also given beautifully crafted nail covers, while lower-status concubines were given poorer quality nail covers, which were also a symbol of status and status in the harem.
The life of the concubines was beautiful and noble, they only needed to take care of their appearance, and other unimportant matters were taken care of by the court servants. Although nail covers are a bit cumbersome, they do not affect their lives, on the contrary, they can also improve their status and status, and their value far outweighs their disadvantages.
However, these nail covers are only worn by harem concubines, and cannot be worn by palace maids and ordinary people. If someone is caught wearing these items, they must be coveting imperial power. It is enough for ordinary people to live a simple and innocent life, they do not have too many guesses about the life of the emperor's harem, and enjoy it plainly.
In the old Han Dynasty, people paid great attention to keeping their bodies intact, and were reluctant to cut a strand of hair or nails. In order to keep the nails intact, the ancients made a special utensil - nail covers. Originally, nail covers were mainly used to protect nails, but over time, people began to discover other uses for it.
The charm of the armor set quickly spread and became an ideal ornament for women. Craftsmen began to design beautiful patterns on the armor to make it even more beautiful and charming. These beautiful armors were loved by women, but also by the ruling class, so armor evolved into a different role.
But armor was used not only for aesthetics and to improve social status. They also hide self-defense features that many people may not be aware of. Nail covers are usually made of pure gold, which is sturdy and durable. Inside the nail cover there is a small dark compartment that contains a special narcotic substance.
This is hidden when women are in danger"organs"It will be triggered, and the anesthetic will be released. The anesthetic does not cause serious harm, but it is enough to buy the woman valuable escape time. At a critical moment, this time can save their lives.
In the past, the emperor's harem was dotted, and three thousand beauties competed for favor. While the Emperor occasionally favored some of his concubines, there were many other women who longed for the opportunity to be favored by the Emperor. The Kangxi Emperor is a prime example, as he had many outstanding children. The status of the concubine is second only to the emperor's son, which is reflected"Mother is more precious than son"。
But in the face of so many concubines, how can the emperor distinguish between them?The sleeves play an important role in this. The nail sleeve has a certain identification function, although the specific identity of each other cannot be clarified, but from the production level and craftsmanship, the emperor can roughly understand their origin and status. As a result, the nail cover became a useful tool to help the emperor decide how to deal with his concubines and thus manage the affairs of his harem more rationally. The presence of nail covers to some extent facilitated the work of the emperor.
The Qing Dynasty was a symbol of feudal society in Chinese history, and the importance of the body was deeply rooted. In the harem, the concubines are dressed in gorgeous costumes and wear nail headdresses, like flower fairies strolling through the imperial garden. Nail covers are like treasures embedded in the body, and they cannot be removed until they are absolutely necessary. This material is called"Love at first sight", coupled with their elegant and beautiful faces, naturally attracts people's attention.
When the emperor admired the flowers in the garden, the beauty of the concubines was undoubtedly the focus of attention. Their steps are as light as flower petals, and the glittering jewels on their fingers are said to add a touch of mystery to them. These nail ornaments are not only decoration, but also a status symbol. The different materials and nail craftsmanship emphasize the origin and identity of the concubine. Silk nails show sophistication and glamour, while ivory nails show nobility and elegance. Each concubine wanted the emperor to value her nails, as it meant that her position would be more secure.
For a long time, there was a mysterious and unusual custom in the palace. This custom meant that the concubines wore beautiful fingernails, while ordinary people could not afford such luxuries. Farmers who work in the fields all year round know the value of simplicity, so they never decorate their nails. This simple sign makes it easy to identify a person's social status and clearly see the class differences between them.
Dating back to the distant past, during the Qing Dynasty, nail covers were a symbol of the natives' quest for aristocratic beauty. In fact, their practical value is not high, but their impact on politics and image is great. For the emperor, the nail cover was more like a tool for identification, and when he was alone with his concubines, the nail cover gave him some security. There are many advantages to this tradition, but sadly, this craft has disappeared and most of us can only learn about it from movies, TV shows, and museums, so it is a precious part of our cultural heritage.