The colors of Hanfu reflect cultural meanings. For instance, red, symbolizing joy, is chosen for 85% of weddings, while black, denoting dignity, was worn by 60% of officials in the Han Dynasty. Opt for green for vitality or purple for elegance, with modern designs featuring 25% and 12% sales respectively.
Red (红)
Red is a color in Hanfu, which has great cultural significance in Chinese tradition. Historically, it has been a symbol of joy, luck and prosperity, deeply rooted in festive occasions and major life transitions. During the Ming Dynasty, from 1368 to 1644, red was a royal dress used for ceremonial purposes, and was used in more than 70% of the formal Hanfu designed for court officials and the royal family. This color is considered the most auspicious and is believed to ward off evil spirits.
According to statistics from the China Folk Culture Association, more than 85 percent of traditional brides in China wear red on their wedding day, symbolizing happiness and good luck. Traditional wedding Hanfu is red, usually embroidered with gold thread; it contains intricate motifs, such as dragons, phoenixes and peonies, symbolizing prosperity and harmony. This has stood the test of time, going modern, adapting contemporary styles to suit the younger generation.
During Chinese New Year, red Hanfu is one of the most visible costumes for families to celebrate the festival. More than 60 percent of families celebrating the Lunar New Year mentioned that they incorporated red clothing into their celebrations for good luck to ward off the mythical beast “Nian.” Symbols on popular red Hanfu wear include the Chinese character “zig-zag” for blessing and lion or lantern motifs that emphasize cultural pride. Modern designers have also noticed a 30 percent increase in demand for simply designed red Hanfu from younger audiences, who like to balance traditional elements with modern styles.
Yellow (黄)
Throughout Chinese history, yellow has always occupied a special and exalted place in the meaning and symbolism of Hanfu, often representing power, divinity, and exclusivity. In the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), yellow was officially designated as the imperial color. Historical records indicate that only the emperor and selected members of the royal family had the privilege of wearing the yellow robe. For example, the dyeing process of Tang Xuanzong’s dress, which uses safflower and gardenia extracts to obtain a bright golden hue, takes up to 10 days and more than 500 grams of dye material for a single garment. Therefore, yellow has become an absolutely incomparable authoritative color.
By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, yellow had become the legal symbol of imperial power, and its use was strictly restricted. The formal clothing of the Yellow Emperor or emperor, often referred to as the “dragon robe” or dragon robe, consists of a piece of bright yellow ground embroidered with a dragon pattern. A statistical survey of the range of colors in archival documents from the Qing Dynasty shows that about 95 percent of imperial gowns used a variety of yellows, from pale gold to bright marigolds. These are not just pleasing clothes; they carry many symbolic meanings, among which the dragon symbolizes the emperor’s supreme position under the sky. The embroidery alone required the craftsmen to spend months, underscoring the prestige and labor intensity of the yellow Hanfu.
Yellow is also a color of great spiritual significance. In Taoism, yellow symbolizes the earth and center, and is associated with the ancient Chinese cosmology of the five elements: wood, fire, earth, gold, and water. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), Taoist priests usually wore yellow robes during ceremonies to signify the harmonious balance between heaven and earth. Contemporary studies of temple records show that nearly 70% of the ceremonial Hanfu worn by senior Taoist practitioners had yellow as the dominant color. In fact, this custom still exists in some areas, and many contemporary Taoist ceremonies are performed by yellow-robed priests.
Black (黑)
Black has a profound place in Hanfu culture, representing dignity, solemnity and mystery. According to Chinese philosophy, black is one of the five primary colors, associated with water and north in the five elements theory. During the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC), black was considered the most precious color because it symbolized heaven and the universe. Archaeological findings show that more than 40 percent of Zhou dresses were black, often combining simple and complex designs to express a sense of grandeur.
During the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD), black Hanfu was popular on formal occasions. Court officials were required to wear black robes at certain ceremonies, a tradition supported by Confucian ideals of etiquette and respect. Official records from the time show that about 60 percent of the administrators wore black Hanfu at the ceremony, a hue that contrasted sharply with the bright colors of the celebrations. The use of black highlighted how serious their responsibilities were, and it showed their loyalty to the emperor. These robes usually have subtle accents of gold or red, indicating the status and responsibility of the person wearing them.
By the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), black had become a favored color not only in ceremonial occasions, but also in intellectual and academic activities. Confucian scholars who valued scholarship and morality often chose black Hanfu to reflect their simple lifestyle. A survey of Ming Dynasty literature and painting shows that more than 70 percent of literati wore black robes. Black is simple, in line with their ideals of modesty and focus, sometimes with symbolic embroidery on some clothes to express subtle personal expressions, such as cranes or bamboo.
White (白)
White has a deep symbolic meaning in Hanfu culture and is often associated with purity, simplicity and mourning. It is considered a ceremonial and transitional color as it is also worn at funerals and ceremonies to show respect and solemnity. During the Tang Dynasty, from 618 to 907 AD, more than 80 percent of mourning clothes were white, showing filial piety and respect for the dead under Confucianism. The use of white clothing was both practical and symbolic, denoting a state of simplicity and humility before the inevitable death.
In addition to mourning, white is also a color with spiritual connotations. During the performance of the ritual, the Taoist wears white robes to maintain purity and contact with the gods. A study of the archives of temple records in the Song Dynasty (960 to 1279 AD) shows that about 65% of the vestments worn by Taoist priests were essentially white, often consisting of high-quality unpatterned silk. The plain color of the white robes emphasizes the spiritual and meditative nature of these rituals, with little ornamentation that the wearers can reflect on their devotion to spiritual clarity.
White Hanfu also plays an important role in the daily life of certain classes of people. In the countryside, white was also the color of choice for farmers and laborers, as fabrics that were not dyed were more readily available. For example, records from the Ming Dynasty show that about 40% of the working class used pure white as their daily Hanfu because it was cheaper to produce than dyeing them in various colors. However, white clothes need to be washed frequently, and their practicality is well balanced with the wearer’s financial means and access to clean water.
Blue (蓝)
In Hanfu culture, blue symbolizes tranquility, depth and the pursuit of knowledge, and is usually associated with natural elements such as water and sky. Historically, blue was associated with academics and the working class because of its ease of use and versatility. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), blue Hanfu became common among scholars preparing for imperial examinations. Records show that more than 50 percent of the candidates wore blue robes, reflecting their desire for wisdom and clear thinking. Blue, seen as a calm and focused color, aligns with the academic ideal of composure and determination.
During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), blue became a practical choice for daily wear by farmers and merchants. Analysis of Ming Dynasty clothing records shows that about 40 percent of working-class Hanfu was dyed blue with indigo, a widespread plant. Indigo dyeing is cost-effective and produces durable fabrics, making blue clothing ideal for labor-intensive jobs. These garments are usually simple in design, with minimal embroidery, and prioritizing function. In addition, the blue Hanfu symbolizes a connection with the earth and nature, as its dyeing process uses traditional, environmentally friendly techniques.
Blue also has ceremonial and symbolic meanings. In Taoist and Confucian ceremonies, blue Hanfu often symbolizes harmony and balance. A study of Qing Dynasty temple archives shows that nearly 30 percent of mid-level monks’ ceremonial attire was blue, often paired with shades of silver or white. These costumes represent a combination of human effort and divine guidance, especially in rituals that emphasize renewal and growth, such as agricultural festivals or ceremonies related to water. The choice of blue highlights its connection to the constant flow and resilience of life.
Green (绿)
In Hanfu culture, green is closely related to the connotation of youth, vitality and renewal. Historically, green has symbolized spring and growth; therefore, it is very popular during seasonal festivals. During the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 AD), young women often wore green Hanfu, symbolizing their vitality and innocence. According to historical records, more than 30 percent of young women’s Hanfu designs during this period featured green as the main hue, often with embroidery with floral patterns to convey the freshness of spring.
During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), green became more common among the merchant and artisan classes due to improvements in dyeing techniques. Plant-based dyes, such as peonies and gardenias, can produce a bright and long-lasting green color. A survey of the inventory of Ming Dynasty clothing shows that about 20% of urban households own at least one green Hanfu, mainly worn during festivals or family celebrations. Green Hanfu usually has a pattern of bamboo or lotus leaves, symbolizing toughness and purity, which are revered in Chinese culture.
The color green also has spiritual importance, especially in Taoist rituals and ceremonies. Many times, Taoists will wear green robes as part of their Spring Festival to represent living in harmony with nature through the renewal of life. Archival data from Song Dynasty temples recorded between 960 and 1279 show that 15 percent of the ceremonial robes of mid-level monks were green, representing the importance of green in rituals about agricultural cycles and environmental balance. The symbolic relationship between green and nature reinforces its use in rituals designed to ensure prosperity and harvest.
Purple (紫)
In Hanfu culture, purple represents nobility, mystery and spiritual enlightenment. Traditionally, purple is one of the most expensive and laborious colors to make, so only high-ranking officials and royalty can enjoy this luxury. During the Tang Dynasty, which lasted from 618 to 907 AD, the imperial court issued a regulation that purple should not be used in any rank except the fifth or above. Records show that less than 10% of the population could afford purple clothing at the time, reflecting exclusivity and the presence of powerful authority.
The purple dyeing process requires rare materials such as mollusk pigments or a combination of red and blue plant extracts. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), it was estimated that the cost of producing a purple robe was five times that of producing a robe in a common color such as blue or black. As a result, purple Hanfu became a clear sign of wealth and status. Artisans spent weeks perfecting the dye to achieve a rich, consistent hue, and the garments often featured gold or silver embroidery, further highlighting their luxurious nature.
Purple also has considerable spiritual significance, especially in Taoist practice; it connects the material world with the spiritual world. Records from the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) show that about 20 percent of Taoist monks wore purple robes during high ceremonies, with purple symbolizing the connection with the wisdom of the gods. It was from this era that the word “” was derived to describe auspicious spiritual events. These robes often combine patterns of clouds and stars to represent heaven, further enhancing their symbolic significance.
