Clothing

             There are many different types of traditional clothing in Taiwan. For example there are headdresses, kimonos, tunics, and sashes, and even particular kinds of ceremonial wedding dresses. Clothing is an important part of the Taiwanese culture. Many people devote lots of time to find the right outfit for a ritual, ceremony, or traditional routine. There are also particular colors to go with every season and every social class.           

             One kind of clothing originating form ancient Taiwan is a type of headdress which was worn from c. 475-221 B.C.E.

These headdresses were worn by warriors. Sticking out from the top of the headdresses were feathers from a pheasant  bird known for notorious fighting skill. The two feathers represent the warriors’ bold and warlike spirit.

             Evidence like bone sewing needles, shells, and stone beads with holes in them lead archaeologists to believe that sewing existed about 18,000 years ago in the Shang civilization. It was not until the 11th-16th century that different types of clothing began to show up in findings.

             There are about three main types of traditional Chinese clothing; pien-fu, chiang-piao, and the sheri. The pien-fu type of clothing is a ceremonial outfit that consists of a top similar to a tunic that goes all the way to the knees! Also the Chinese wore skirts touching to their ankles. This type of loose fit clothing is appropriate even with weather conditions. Finally, the outfit is topped off with a pien, a circular hat. This chiang-piao is  feminine look that is still noticed today on both genders at special occasions/events. This includes a long gown coming from the Ching dynasty.

             The favorite clothing of the Chinese was that of darker colors, with many intricate patterns. There were also certain colors that were appropriate for different times of the year. For instance, red is worn in the summer, green in  spring, white in fall, and black in winter. Lighter hues were more commonly found on people around the house or just everyday dress. However, the Chinese people did mix and match.

             Currently, Taiwanese clothing designers are trying to blend the symbolism of ancient traditional clothes with modern day dress.   For example there are ancient Chinese symbolic idols like deities, lions and the trigrams (symbols) and even the masks of opera characters. The more unusual ones are dragons, phoenixes, lightning, and clouds. The combination of ancient and modern styles has created a unique, stunning look.

This is a picture of a chiang-piao.

This is a picture of a Taiwanese dress.