Hanfu Headwear – Traditional Hats and Hair Accessories

What Is Hanfu Headwear?

Hanfu headwear (首服 shǒu fú) refers to the traditional head adornments from ancient Han Chinese attire. These include hats (冠帽 guān mào), fabric wraps (巾帻 jīn zé), and ornate hairpieces. Headwear is an indispensable element in Hanfu culture, symbolizing status, etiquette, and beauty.

乌帽 (wū mào, black gauze cap)

Major Categories and Terms

For Men

• 冕冠 (miǎn guān, ceremonial crown)

• 爵弁 / 雀弁 (jué biàn / què biàn, ceremonial caps)

• 皮弁 (pí biàn, leather cap)

• 韦弁 (wéi biàn, tanned leather cap)

• 冠弁 (guān biàn, crown/cap)

• 武弁 (wǔ biàn, military cap)

• 通天冠 (tōng tiān guān, tall “heaven-reaching” crown)

• 长冠 (cháng guān, long crown)

• 乌帽 (wū mào, black gauze cap)

Men also wore cloth-based headgear:

• 幅巾 (fú jīn)

• 网巾 (wǎng jīn, mesh wrap)

• 东坡巾 (dōng pō jīn, Dongpo wrap)

• 唐巾 (táng jīn, Tang wrap)

• 飘飘巾 (piāo piāo jīn)

• 儒巾 (rú jīn, scholar’s cap)

Each type reflected both fashion and hierarchy. For example, 冕冠 (miǎn guān) was reserved for emperors during rituals; 乌帽 (wū mào) was common among ordinary people.

凤冠 (fèng guān, phoenix crown)

For Women

• 凤冠 (fèng guān, phoenix crown)

• 珠翠冠 (zhū cuì guān, bejeweled crown)

• 簪 (zān, single hairpin)

• 钗 (chāi, double hairpin)

• 栉 / 梳篦 (zhì / shū bì, comb)

• 步摇 (bù yáo, dangling ornament)

• 抹额 (mǒ é, forehead ribbon)

• 巾帼 (jīn guó, cloth hat for women)

• 狄髻 (dí jì, “Di” style bun)

Hair accessories were not only decorations but also revealed social status and personal taste.

For Children

For children, colorful hats (巾帽 jīn mào) with auspicious patterns were popular, expressing parents’ wishes and blessings.

Social and Cultural Meaning

• During ceremonies, emperors and nobles wore 冕冠 (miǎn guān), the highest-ranking ritual crown symbolizing supreme authority.

• Hairstyles and headwear reflected age and social standing from childhood onwards.

• Men’s hats differentiated scholars (冠 guān) from officials (官帽 guān mào).

• Practical cloth wraps and hats suited daily life and outdoor work.

Women’s Styling Customs

Women’s hair was styled into buns and elaborately adorned with:

• 珠花 (zhū huā, beaded ornaments)

• 步摇 (bù yáo, dangling pieces)

• 翠翘 (cuì qiāo, kingfisher feather ornament)

• 冠梳 (guān shū, decorative comb)

Each dynasty and region had its own favored accessories, and customs like wearing silk flowers (绢花 juàn huā) in the hair became established, especially among the nobility in the Ming Dynasty.

Futou wrap-襆头 (fú tóu) Tang–Song, everyday soft wrap

Table Example: Types of Hanfu Hats