If foreign learners are interested in Chinese culture when they come to learn Chinese in China, they should know some knowledge about the costume of Han people. The costume of Han people is also called "han yi guan" and the traditional costume of Han people is also named "han zhuang" and "hua fu". It lasted from the period of Huang Emperor to the late of Ming Dynasty, which is about more than four thousand years.

One thing that the foreigners who study Chinese in China should know about the costume of Han people is that it is a costume system formed centers on Chinese Culture of Proprieties and after the worship of people in all of the previous dynasties. It has formed as a conventional costume system.

Since the periods of Huang Emperor, Yao and Shun, the costumes of Han people has shaped the basic form. After the inheritance of the law and discipline rite in Zhou Dynasty, it has formed the perfect costume system in Han Dynasty, more importantly, became popular to the common people. When you study Mandarin in China, you may be told that it also formed a Chinese character circle with the influence of Confucianism.

We just mentioned above are the origin of the names "han ren (Han people)",  "han fu (costume of Han people)", "han yu (Chinese language)" and "han su (customs of Han people)". Some of the foreigners who learn Chinese in China may hear that Japan, Korea and Vietnam ever enacted laws to imitate the costume system in ancient times.

As we all know, Han people in China has the largest population in China and even in the whole world and it has a long history with colorful culture. According to the history of several thousand years, we can see that there are two main patterns of costume of Han people, the separation and the combination of clothes and trousers. But foreigners who study Chinese in China should know that there are different features in various dynasties and periods.

The colors of the costume of Han people are also have distinctive features. In the aspect of costume colors, Han people regard the five colors green, red, black, white and yellow as the normal colors. There are some differences in different dynasties. Students who study Mandarin in China may know that the costumes in Tang Dynasty were yellow. The red was proper when it came to Ming Dynasty. However, those who learn Chinese in China should know that yellow was regarded as the noblest color after Tang Dynasty and only the emperors could use it.

The materials of the costume of Han people were mainly the flax, silk, cotton and leather. Most foreign learners who go to school to study Chinese in China all know that the weaving technology is famous in the world for the long history, advanced technology and beautiful handicrafts. The ancient weaving, especially the silk weaving in ancient China enjoyed a very high reputation in the world and even unique.

In ancient China, the staining technique was also advanced and excellent. It was not only famous for the various and bright colors. And it was difficult to fade and was called the mysterious technology. As a matter of fact, there are totally four types of technologies were used in the weaving, including embroidery that the foreigners who study Mandarin in China may be familiar.

There are many types of decoration patterns in costume of Han people but the main patterns are animals, plants and geometric figures. The expression ways of the patterns experienced several stages like abstract, standard and realistic. But foreigners who learn Chinese in China may know they have different features for various types.

Before the period of Shang and Zhou dynasties, the patterns of costumes of Han people were brief just like the original Chinese characters. The patterns were more perfect from Zhou to Song dynasties. Students who study Chinese in China may know that patterns came from realistic life, showing the diligence and wisdom of Chinese people.

In brief, the costume of Han people has a long history and advanced technology, which reflects the diligence and wisdom Han people in ancient Chinese as well as the rich colorful culture.