A wedding is undoubtedly one of the most significant moments in a person’s life. A wedding outfit not only carries the aspiration for a better life but also conveys best wishes for the newlyweds’ marriage. The selection of the wedding attire style and the attention to its structure are of primary importance, yet a fine wedding outfit is far more than that. Among these elements, color is often a factor we tend to overlook. Excellent color matching and proper color combinations can add the finishing touch to the wedding attire，infuse the entire wedding with a stronger atmosphere of happiness.
The History of Ancient Chinese Wedding Attire
First of all, before we explore the color code of ancient Chinese wedding attire, we need to gain a general understanding of its costume history，see how the wedding attire etiquette formed in ancient times skillfully utilized colors and costume matching.
The history of ancient Chinese wedding attire can be traced back thousands of years. Starting from the Zhou Dynasty, wedding attire gradually became standardized. During the Zhou Dynasty, wedding attire was simple and solemn, and the color of the bride’s and groom’s wedding clothes was usually black or dark-colored, which was closely related to the background of the Zhou Dynasty’s reverence for black.
In the Han Dynasty, red-colored wedding attire began to gain popularity. Since red symbolizes fire and yang in Chinese culture, it is believed to ward off evil spirits and disasters, making it one of the best wishes for the newlyweds. The structure of the wedding attire adopted the style of the highest-rank ceremonial dress, which basically evolved from the deep garment (shenyi) of the Han Dynasty.
During the Tang Dynasty, wedding attire exhibited a unique sense of magnificence. Influenced by the open culture of the time, the bride’s attire became more colorful, with countless designs featuring silk and embroidery, and numerous gold and silver decorations were added—all of which vividly demonstrated the prosperous scene of the Tang Dynasty.
In the Song Dynasty, the style of wedding attire tended to be simple, with an emphasis on etiquette and norms. There were fewer decorative elements, and the attire was mainly red and green, following the tradition of “the groom in red and the bride in green”. The style focused on elegance. The wedding attire of the Ming and Qing Dynasties was basically finalized. Brides often wore “phoenix coronets and cloud-patterned shawls” (fengguan xiapi), and red became the fixed color of wedding attire, symbolizing joy and auspiciousness.
Chinese Wedding Dresses
In ancient China, apart from the traditional-style wedding attire, there were also Chinese wedding dress styles that served as ceremonial dresses or bridal gowns. In ancient times, the bride’s ceremonial dresses were usually long robes or skirts, such as the “shenyi” (deep garment) of the Han Dynasty and the “ruqun” (jacket and skirt) of the Tang Dynasty. These attires emphasized a sense of layering, often with a red base, embroidered with various exquisite patterns like dragons, phoenixes, and flowers. After the Song Dynasty, “phoenix coronets and cloud-patterned shawls” gradually became the mainstream of wedding attire. The dresses of the Ming and Qing Dynasties paid more attention to detailed craftsmanship, decorated with silk and jewelry, and were mainly red in color, though there were differences in specific styles. For example, in northern China, the styles were more thick and heavy, while in southern China, the styles were more light and graceful. Entering the modern and contemporary era, Chinese wedding dresses have begun to integrate Chinese and Western elements, resulting in more wedding attire styles that meet the aesthetic needs of people today.
The Cultural Significance of Colors in Ancient Chinese Wedding Attire
The colors of ancient Chinese wedding attire hold profound cultural significance, and great care must be taken in the selection of colors. Each color choice and combination embodies deep aspirations，and reflects the ancient Chinese cultural concepts of harmony between heaven and earth, the interdependence of all things, and the pursuit of romance.
When it comes to the most classic wedding attire color, red is undoubtedly the top choice. It represents joy, auspiciousness, and happiness. The ancients believed that red could drive away evil spirits and bless the newlyweds with a happy marriage. For instance, in traditional weddings, the bride’s wedding gown, veil, and decorations are mainly red. Green is also an important color in wedding attire; it usually symbolizes life and vitality, implying that the newlyweds will enjoy a long and healthy life and have many children and grandchildren.
Black can also be seen in wedding attire. Generally, black symbolizes solemnity and eternity, but it was mainly used in the pre-Qin period and was gradually replaced later. Yellow and gold are also common colors in wedding attire, often matched with red. The addition of yellow and gold significantly elevates the rank of the wedding attire, adds a sense of nobility, showcases the precious status of the wearer, and exudes a magnificent texture. However, white rarely appears in traditional wedding attire, as its symbolic meaning is not suitable for weddings. It is usually only seen in some wedding accessories to match with other colors, creating an aesthetic implication.
Colors of Modern Chinese-Style Wedding Dresses
In modern times, the colors of Chinese-style wedding clothing have broken away from fixed norms and offer more options. On the basis of red, modern Chinese wedding dresses have incorporated other colors such as white, gold, pink, dark blue, and purple, each of which is endowed with different meanings. The diversity of colors in modern Chinese-style wedding dresses has made weddings more colorful, but the cultural roots behind these colors are always worthy of our treasure.
Finally, let’s briefly answer two questions.
How to choose the color of a traditional Chinese wedding dress for the bride?
When making a choice, you can fully consider your personal preferences, family traditions, and the wedding theme. Then, try on different color combinations to see which color suits your skin tone and temperament better. By comparing different options in this way, you can select the most suitable color for your wedding dress.
Where to buy Chinese-style wedding dresses?
In fact, there are numerous channels for purchasing Chinese wedding dresses. The most direct way is to visit physical bridal shops or traditional costume stores to select and try on dresses. There are also many online stores on e-commerce platforms that offer high-quality wedding dresses in a variety of styles, and some even provide personalized customization services. The prices on online platforms are usually lower than those in offline stores. If you want to experience a unique, high-end custom-made style, you can go to some custom tailoring shops and design studios that possess traditional wedding dress craftsmanship and enjoy a good reputation to have a one-of-a-kind dress made exclusively for you.
