Tang Dynasty Fashion

Mona Ye, a Falun Dafa practitioner from Toronto, displays her traditional Tang dynasty-style attire during a dance and fashion show in Washington, DC in 2002.

Early Falun Dafa celebrations featuring traditional song and dance were well received. Curiosity about the traditional costumes emerged, and so practitioners created fashion shows of ancient Chinese attire.

In 618 AD, the Tang dynasty ended China's split status and civil war, which had lasted hundreds of years, and became a very powerful dynasty in terms of economy, politics, and the military. At that time, the silk industry was developing very quickly. In addition, communication between people of different nationalities was very extensive. During the Tang dynasty, ancient Chinese civilisation reached its heyday in the areas of literature, art, medical science, technology, and fashion.

Historically, China is different from other countries in the world, as its social structure took the form of dynasties. When dynasties changed, the style of dress immediately changed accordingly.

For ladies, there was a short sleeve style with a short jacket and skirt; there was also a long sleeve style with a long skirt and shawl. Hairstyles had names like "watching fairy", "cloud", and "twin droop". Outfits often included a long skirt, a shawl wrapped around the body, flower hairpins, and shoes with silk or grass heels. When she went out, a lady could wear a bamboo hat.

After the high Tang period, sleeves became bigger and bigger. In the end, long sleeves became popular.