Hair Accessories & Modern Styling: A Sino-Western Guide to Velvet Flower and Song Brocade Art
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Millennial Craftsmanship Meets Modern Fashion
Are you tired of mass-produced hair accessories? Chinese velvet flower and Song brocade hairpieces would like to transport you into the world of wearable artwork. These creations blend ancient craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. Whether you're a Hanfu enthusiast, bohemian style lover, or simply appreciate unique accessories, hope our guide will help you find your perfect match. Today there will show you 4 different type hair accessories of the Ronghua art and Song brocade.
One of Chinese intangible cultural heritage: Silk Velvet Flower- Ronghua Art Hair Accessories
What is the hair stick? And how does the hair stick come to us? Here is a simple history record as below after checking some related knowledge:
Chinese hair accessories evolved from simple tools to complex symbols of status and belief.
- The 'Ji' (笄): The earliest hair binding tool, originating in the Han Dynasty, was a single-stranded hair binding used for the "jí及 jī笄 lǐ礼" (coming of age ceremony) for women. Made primarily of bone jade, it features a simple and elegant design. It served not only as an everyday hair accessory but also as a crucial embodiment of etiquette, symbolizing a woman's marriageable age. It was also known means that you are the adults and can get married.
- The 'Zan' (簪)： A staple of the Neolithic Age and Qing Dynasty, hairpins evolved from the 'Ji' (笄), a single, long, needle-like structure. Early hairpins were made of bone and jade, but later became inlaid with gold, silver, and jewelry. Used to secure hair in a bun, hairpins were worn by both men and women, and worn daily by women after adulthood. Their styles varied throughout the dynasties, with the Tang Dynasty showcasing elegance and splendor, the Song Dynasty refined, and the Qing Dynasty offering a wide variety of styles. They have been used throughout China from ancient times to the present day.
- The 'Chai' (钗): A double-strand hair ornament that appeared during the Warring States Period, consisting of two crossed hairpins for better securement. Flower and bird designs were popular in the Tang Dynasty, while simpler designs became popular in the Song Dynasty. Primarily made of gold, silver, jade, and emerald, it was often embellished with vermilion jade and gemstones. Symbolizing one pair, it was often given as a betrothal gift or token of love by ancient women.
- The 'Buyao' (步摇): It mainly appeared during the Han Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty. It is a hair stick embellished with movable gold and jade hair ornaments. It sways gracefully when walking. It is mostly worn by noble women to show their smart beauty. The craftsmanship reached its peak in the Tang Dynasty. It is often made into exquisite shapes such as phoenixes and flower branches.
- The 'zhì ' (栉): Hair combs and hair accessories originated during the Tang and Song dynasties, primarily inserted into the hair bun. The half-moon style was popular in the Tang, but it became the saddle style in the Song. Primarily made of gold and silver, they were often embellished with elaborate patterns, serving both decorative and practical purposes.
- The 'Fang' (扁方): A hair ornament that became popular in the Qing Dynasty and is a characteristic hair ornament of the Manchu people. It is a flat long hairpin about 30 cm long. It runs across the "two-bun" bun and plays a supporting role. It is mostly made of jade and silver and is carved with auspicious patterns.
In addition, there are too many other kinds of Chinese traditional hair accessories that we didn’t mentioned above, may introduce more in the future.
Here we mainly demonstrate the velvet flower hair stick and forked hair pin
- Ronghua Hair Stick
Single-pronged hair stick adorned with soft velvet flowers handmade from silk, perfect with cheongsam, Hanfu, or modern dresses, adding classical charm to everyday styling.
Actually in China, many girls like to wear them when they get married. Of course, most people prefer to wear tiaras for wedding ceremonies, because they thinking that it is more grand and elegant. Hair Stick with flower patterns are more suitable for daily wear. They are simple and elegant, and make people look gentle and virtuous. Therefore, most of them are matched with cheongsams. The current new Chinese style is very popular about the introduction of hair stick, adding another way to wear hair stick and taking it a step further in daily matching.
Do you have any favorite flower pattern or style? We accept customized hair stick. Just send us a picture or send a message to our Instagram account, and we will customize it according to your needs.
- Ronghua Forked Hair Pin
Double-pronged hair combs, more secure than hair stick, ideal for fixing elaborate buns, best for thick or heavy hair, holding complex buns firmly. But in fact, most people do not follow the etiquette so much, we can wear forked hair pin not only on grand festivals, but also when traveling, partying, or being happy.
Then new styles evolved, such as the one shown below, which is also called forked hair pin:
One of Chinese intangible cultural heritage: Song brocade- another kind of handmade Hair Accessories
- Song Brocade Hair Claw Clips/ Hair Jaw
To be honest, we called Hair Claw Clips to be Shark Hair Clips in China, they are totally the same item.
The below item Hair Claw Clip was made by Song brocade art, if you check the materials of fabric, here are some auspicious animals or plants on the fabric. The patterns of Song brocade are mostly based on geometric frames such as Bagua, chain links, chess pieces, and tortoise shells, and natural flowers such as peony, lotus, plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum are integrated into this frame, or auspicious beasts, Eight Immortals, etc. are used as themes, making the overall fabric picture complex and orderly in structure, full of changes and fun, implying smooth roads, good fortune and longevity.
If you want to know more about Song brocade, please check our previous blog of “The Origin of Song Brocade”.
- Song Brocade Bobby Pins
Bobby pins are the most common of all hair accessories. In China, almost all little girls begin their learning of other hair accessories with bobby pins. They actually evolved from straight hairpins. Early straight hairpins were simple to use, their primary function being to hold loose strands of hair in place. Over time, as people pursued a more aesthetically pleasing style, they began to gain decorative uses, sometimes adding flowers, plants, birds, and trees to enhance the overall look. This Song brocade four-leaf clover bobby [ins is a simple style, popular with little girls, but suitable for both adults and children, as it's neither ostentatious nor restrictive in any particular occasion.
However, some styles have even evolved, changing their basic shape, like the velvet flower-embellished duckbill hair clip below:
A traditional design on a easy-to-use clip. veryday wear. The ultimate fusion of tradition and convenience. Ideal for securing bangs or adorning half-updos, pairing with professional wear enhances intellectual beauty. Clip it onto a ponytail, the side of your head, or a bag strap for a pop of cultural flair.
- Song Brocade French Barrette
French barrette is a familiar sight to everyone. This spring clip, crafted with Song brocade craftsmanship, is inspired by it. Note that these clips come in different sizes. When we have thick hair, we often use them to secure the top half of our hair. There's a retainer at each end. Press it open, insert the combed hair, and close the lever until you hear a click, securing the hair. Wearing a French barrette on half your head, from behind, looks like a first love from the 1970s or 1980s—very beautiful. Of course, if you have less hair, you can also secure all your hair in the spring clip, still looking elegant and beautiful from behind.
Of course, the types of hair accessories are definitely not limited to the ones mentioned above. There are many styles that have not been mentioned, including
Japanese kanzashi, which is emphasize seasonal symbolism, like cherry blossom hairpins representing transient beauty. Contrasts with velvet flowers' eternal meaning.
Korean binyeo, often made of silver or jade, simple styles, mainly displaying status through materials.
European hair combs, popular during Victorian era with metal inlaid gems, emphasizing luxury over cultural meaning.
African butterfly clips, with different types and decorations and looks more unique and beautiful, etc. Each has its own advantages and beauty.
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