Hanfu accessories
Hanfu accessories refers to the various form of fashion accessories and self-adornments used and worn with throughout Chinese history. consists of many forms of miscellaneous accessories, such as jewellery, , ribbons, shawls, scarves, and hand-held accessories, etc.
Jewellery
Chinese jewellery, including Chinese carved jade jewellery, often features Chinese symbols and iconography, and auspicious symbols and images, which are themselves rooted in Chinese culture, legends and mythologies, and philosophy. These symbols often reveal the Chinese traditions which have guided the Chinese civilization for thousands of years and which currently continue to remain in use in present-days.Jade culture is an important aspect of Chinese culture, reflecting both the material and spiritual culture of the Chinese people. Jade is deeply ingrained in Chinese culture and played a role in every aspect of social life; it is also associated with positive qualities and aspects such as purity, excellence, and harmony. Jade is even more valued than gold in Chinese culture. Traditionally, jade jewellery especially often expressed positive sentiments and good wishes; and, jade itself were often gifted on important and/or special occasions such as wedding and childbirth.
Silver was another common materials in the making of Chinese ornaments and ritual items since ancient times; it also holds an irreplaceable place in Chinese culture and plays a significant role in being a carrier of Chinese traditional culture and in preserving ancient Chinese cultural heritage. Moreover, according to Chinese belief, silver could be used to avoid evil spirits and thus wearing silver ornaments and jewelries was believed to bring good luck to its wearer.
Other materials used in traditional Chinese jewellery making were: gold, , , , , . was used as an alternative to a rare material known as . , on the other hand, was typically not used in traditional Chinese jewellery as it considered too bright and vulgar; and thus, it was generally avoided.
Bracelets
Jade bracelets have been favoured by Chinese women since ancient times regardless of social ranking and has been one of the most important form of jewellery in Chinese culture. According to ancient Chinese beliefs, jade bracelets should be worn on the left hand as it is closest to the heart. Chinese women typically had at least three jade bracelets throughout her lifetime: the first one was given by her father as a little girl, the second is given to the girl by her mother when she gets married and which will be passed from generation to generation as a family heirloom, and the third one is given to the girl by her lover to express his love and his desire to protect her for a lifetime, which led to the saying, "no bracelet can't get married". Another jade bracelet may be given by a mother-in-law to her new daughter-in-law when she gets married. There is a belief in China which says that if a jade bracelet breaks, the death of its wearer has been supplanted by the broken bracelet. Jade bracelets continue to be prized and worn nowadays. It is also currently used as a form of fashion accessory used by hanfu enthusiasts.Earrings
Earrings in China originated in the Neolithic period; however, they were first used as decorations or amulets. A form of popular earring which pierced the earlobe was the which became popular during the Warring States Period and the Qin dynasty. Ancient were made out gold, jade, silver, ivory, marble, glass and crystal. Glass became popular from the Han dynasty to the Southern and Northern dynasties due to its bright colours and due to its glittering characteristics and translucence.In the Zhou dynasty, when in the form of jade pendants, the earrings could also be used as decorations to be hanged on, a form of Chinese headgear; they were especially used on the of the Emperor where they became known as . When used on headgear, the were a representation of self-discipline and introspection, both of which were important required characteristics in Chinese culture; the purpose of these jade pendants decorations thus reminded its wearer that he should avoid hearing and listening to anything without careful consideration and avoid slander while simultaneously remind the wearer that he should show humility and listen to good suggestions. These jade pendants gradually spread from the Emperor to officials and scholars, to women who would then hang it to their Chinese hairpins. The attached to hairpins were used by empresses, imperial concubines and princesses during the Han dynasty allowing the to hung down beside their two ears.
Based on archaeological findings, it appears that it was a popular trend for ancient women to only wear a single instead of pairs of earrings. During the Song dynasty that women started to piece their two ears and wore ; these earrings could be made with gold and pearls. Wearing earrings among Chinese women then became popular in the Ming and Qing dynasties.
In the Ming dynasty, the practice of wearing a single earring on the ear was not customary for Chinese men, and such practices were typically associated with the non-Chinese people living along the northern and north-western borders; however, there is an exception: young Chinese boys would wear a single ring-shaped earring attached to their ear as an amulet to protect them against evil spirits.
In Qing dynasty, Han Chinese women wore a single earring at each ears which contrasted from the Manchu women who had to wear three earrings at each ear. From the middle of the eighteenth century, Manchu women adopted the Han Chinese single earring despite breaking the Manchu dress code and the laws which prevented them from wearing Han Chinese women clothing; this frustrated the Qing emperors.
Rings
were initially used as decorations and finger protection when drawing bows since the Neolithic period. They were then given to the Empresses and imperial concubines in the Emperor's concubines to express or indicate their current physical conditions by the Emperor; by the time of Qin and Han dynasties, a gold ring worn on the left hand were used to express being on menstruation or being pregnant and thus that its wearer were unsuitable to serve the Emperor while a silver ring on the left hand expressed that its wearer was available to serve the Emperor; following a night with the Emperor, the silver ring would be moved from left to the right hand. This custom was then gradually spread to the nobles and officials before spreading to the civilians.Rings which were mostly made of precious materials, such as jade, gold, and silver, were also bestowed presents to accomplished court officials and they were used as love token by couples. Rings later became one of the most important betrothal gift for a bride since the Southern Song dynasty.
Necklaces
is currently a common necklace accessory used by hanfu enthusiasts. It is a ring-shaped ornament developed in ancient China, which is hung on the neck and chest, worn on the head, arms and legs. It is mainly made of pearls, precious stones and precious metals. At first, it was used as a Buddhist ornament, but later it was widely adopted as a necklace and headwear in Chinese women's clothing.There is also a custom of wearing a necklace with a longevity lock pendant, . These lock charms were sometimes personally tied around the necks of children by Buddhist or Taoist priests.Pendants and charms
Longevity locks
The longevity lock is known as has an important form of amulet for children for thousand of years in Chinese culture; according to Chinese beliefs, the protect children from evil spirits and bad luck by locking its wearer's soul and life inside of the lock. The is often made with precious materials, such as gold, silver, and jade, and having auspicious words carved on it. The is also a manifestation of the blessing from the older generation who hoped that the child would live a long time and remove illness. Both blessings of longevity and health form part of the concept of , which are considered to be five important life goals according to traditional Chinese philosophy and beliefs and which hold an important place in every aspect of Chinese culture and life.Jade pendants
and had a rigid and specific rules attached to its use. Some jade pendants also combined jades in the shape of dragons, phoenixes, humans, human-dragons, and animals, etc. In the Qing dynasty, it was popular for women to wear green, translucent jade jewelries; pendants which were carved in the shape of a curving dragon was popular.Ensemble of jade pendants and/or jade strings which were combined with other precious materials were called ; the were a type of which were typically worn by women to press down the hemline of their clothing. The appeared thousands of years ago and were initially only worn by nobles, but with time, it was gradually adopted by all women regardless of their social ranks. The also used to be an indicator of elegance and etiquette in ancient times: if the behaviour of its wearer is discourteous, the would sound loud, and thus, it would remind the wearer to mind his manners and elegance; on the other hand, if its wearer behave appropriately, the would sound melodic and pleasant. This is also explained in the chapter 《labels=no》in the :It is currently used as a form of fashion accessory used by enthusiasts.Press lapels
are used as press lapels on upper garment ornaments; it could include pendants,, and fragrant sachet, and .In Qing dynasty, Han Chinese women wore pendant-like charms as ; these pendant-like charms were made of diverse materials and were placed at the top button on the side of their -jacket. They also wore other forms of pendants, such as pendants made of metal filigree in the shape of potpourri container which would be filled with fragrant herbs and long silver pendants with small silver charms which were filled with bells which would frightened evil spirits away when they tickled as they wore. They would also hang on the top button of their jacket.
A style of was the -style. A ' is a type of 18-beads bracelet which originated from the japamala. The ' sometimes have hanging buckles; they would be hung on the right lapels of upper clothing or could be worn around the wrist like a regular bracelet. There were no strict regulations on its wearing etiquette.