| Buyao | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Buyao, China, 18th century | |||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 步搖 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 步摇 | ||||||
| Literal meaning | Step-shake | ||||||
| |||||||
| English name | |||||||
| English | Buyao/ buyao hairpin | ||||||
Buyao (simplified Chinese: 步摇; traditional Chinese: 步搖; pinyin: Bùyáo; lit. 'step-shake') is a type of Chinese women's hair ornament.[1] It is a type of Chinese hairpin which was oftentimes decorated with carved designs and jewelries that dangles when the wearer walks, hence the name, which literally means "shake as you go".[2][3] The buyao is similar to a zan hairpin, except for the presence of its dangling ornaments, which are its primary featured characteristics.[4] The buyao appeared as early as in the Han dynasty,[5] where only noble women in the royal family could wear it.[6] In ancient times, the use of buyao denoted noble status.[2][4] Some noble women also put buyaos on their tiaras, making their hair decoration more luxurious than simple buyao.[citation needed] Common material used in making the buyao was gold; the ornaments were typically jade and pearls.[2][3][4] Other valuable materials could be used, such as silver, agate, etc.[6] Many centuries after the fall of the Han dynasty, the buyao was introduced to ordinary civilians; and when all women were allowed to wear to it, more variety of materials were used to produce them.[6] Buyao was passed down over generations; buyao decorated with pendants are still popular in modern-day China.[6]
- ^ Sherrow, Victoria (2006). Encyclopedia of Hair: A Cultural History. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 80. ISBN 9780313331459.
- ^ a b c "Historical Hair Ornaments and Their Social Connotations". Archived from the original on 2016-03-15. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
- ^ a b "Traditional Asian Hairstyles - Haute Coiffure from Ancient China - Shen Yun Performing Arts".
- ^ a b c Chen, Di (2017). "Fashion items favored by ancient beauties". Henan Museum. Archived from the original on 2021-06-27. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:6was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c d "Chinese Hair Ornaments - Hairpins, Crowns, Decorations | ChinaFetching". ChinaFetching.com. Retrieved 2022-05-26.