Imperial Consort Zhen (1876-1900), a concubine of the Guangxu Emperor, sports the hairstyle of the time. Photo: Getty Images
Imperial Consort Zhen (1876-1900), a concubine of the Guangxu Emperor, sports the hairstyle of the time. Photo: Getty Images
Wee Kek Koon
Opinion

Opinion

Reflections by Wee Kek Koon

What women’s hairstyles said about China’s Qing dynasty, reflecting the confidence of the era

  • The rulers of China’s last imperial dynasty were not Han Chinese but Manchu and citizens were expected to wear their hair accordingly
  • For women, the erbatou Manchu hairstyle became more elaborate as the dynasty gained power and prosperity

Imperial Consort Zhen (1876-1900), a concubine of the Guangxu Emperor, sports the hairstyle of the time. Photo: Getty Images
Imperial Consort Zhen (1876-1900), a concubine of the Guangxu Emperor, sports the hairstyle of the time. Photo: Getty Images
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