Tangzhuang

World leaders wearing tangzhuang at the 2001 APEC summit

A tangzhuang (Chinese: 唐装; pinyin: tángzhuāng; literally: "Chinese suit" [1][2]) is a Chinese jacket that originated at the end of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). The tangzhuang evolved from the magua, a Manchu item of clothing, which Han Chinese officials were required to wear during the Qing dynasty while ordinary Han civilians were allowed to dress as they wanted. In modern times it has been adopted by many ordinary people. They are often worn by men, although women wear them as well.[3]

In Chinese communities, the Mao suit, the western suit, and the Tang suit are the main forms of formal dress for men on many occasions. Tangzhuang are made in different colors, most commonly red, navy, gold, black and green. One common design is the use of Chinese characters as monograms such as Fu (福; "happiness") or Shou (寿; "longevity") to spread good luck and wishes. At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shanghai in November 2001, the host presented silk-embroided tangzhuang jackets as the Chinese traditional national costume.

See also

References

  1. ↑ This article uses modern PRC simplified script. In Hong Kong and Taiwan the original old form of the second character is slightly different 唐裝
  2. ↑ Although the first Chinese character (唐; Táng) literally refers to the Tang dynasty, in this case, Tang is a synonym for Chinese similar to the usage of Tángrénjiē (Chinese: 唐人街) meaning Chinatown. ("Traditional Dresses Welcome Spring Festival" at China.org.cn Accessed 10 February 2008.)
  3. ↑ Manchus and Han: Ethnic Relations and Political Power in Late Qing and Early Republican China, 1861-1928 by Edward Rhoads, pg. 61
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