Ru (Chinese: 襦; pinyin: rú), sometimes referred to as shan (Chinese: 衫; pinyin: shān), ao (simplified Chinese: 袄; traditional Chinese: 襖; pinyin: ǎo), and yi (Chinese: 衣; pinyin: yī), is a form of traditional Chinese upper garment, or coat, or jacket, which typically has a right closure; however, they may also have a front central opening.[1] It is traditional everyday wear for women of the Han Chinese ethnic group.[1] It can be worn in combination with a skirt in a style called ruqun, or a pair of trousers in a style called shanku.
Quick Facts Chinese, Literal meaning ...
Ru |
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Theatrical coat for Court Lady, 18th century. |
Han Woman's ao, 19th century, from the Cleveland Museum of Art |
Chinese | 襦 |
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Literal meaning | short coat/ jacket |
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Chinese | 衫 |
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Literal meaning | shirt; robe; gown; jacket |
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Chinese | 袄 |
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Traditional Chinese | 襖 |
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Literal meaning | outer garments/ coat/ jacket/ lined coat |
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Chinese | 衣 |
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Literal meaning | Clothes/ garment |
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Close
The shape and structure of Chinese upper garments, generally referred as yi (衣), varied depending on the time period.[1] Garments that overlap and close to the right originated in China and are called youren (Chinese: 右衽; pinyin: yòurèn; lit. 'right lapel').[2] The style of yi which overlaps at the front and closes on the right in a y-shape is known as jiaolingyouren (Chinese: 交領右衽; pinyin: jiāolǐngyòurèn; lit. 'intersecting collar right lapel')[note 1][3] and first appeared in the Shang dynasty.[4][5] Since then the jiaolingyouren yi has been one of the major symbols of the Sino Kingdom[3] and eventually spread throughout Asia.[5] The structure of the jackets worn in the late Qing shared some features of those worn by the ethnic Han during the Ming dynasty.[1] They continued to evolve and be worn in some form during the Republic of China.[1] Since the 1930s, the popularity of traditional Han fashion declined in favor of the qipao and Western dress.[1] It has regained prominence in the 21st century following the Hanfu movement.