Revival or Invention? —— Young people and the&quot;Modern Hanfu Movement&quot; in contemporary China

This thesis aims to explore the definition, motivations and characteristics of the ‘Modern Hanfu (traditional Chinese dress) Movement’ 現代漢服運動, which began around 2003. In so doing I will attempt to answer the question why young people promote the Hanfu movement. The advocates of this movement claim that it is about the revival of authentic Han culture and the protection of an important cultural identity in China. Others argue that this movement is inclined to cause new ethnic clashes and even Han chauvinism. This thesis will consist of four parts. The introduction will provide information about the scale and participants of the movement and look at some questions derived from the past and current situations of the movement. Associated with the history of Hanfu, I will argue, in the second chapter, that the meaning of Hanfu in this movement is already different from what it was when the movement started. In other words, participants are inventing it as they go along. After this, this...Show moreThis thesis aims to explore the definition, motivations and characteristics of the ‘Modern Hanfu (traditional Chinese dress) Movement’ 現代漢服運動, which began around 2003. In so doing I will attempt to answer the question why young people promote the Hanfu movement. The advocates of this movement claim that it is about the revival of authentic Han culture and the protection of an important cultural identity in China. Others argue that this movement is inclined to cause new ethnic clashes and even Han chauvinism. This thesis will consist of four parts. The introduction will provide information about the scale and participants of the movement and look at some questions derived from the past and current situations of the movement. Associated with the history of Hanfu, I will argue, in the second chapter, that the meaning of Hanfu in this movement is already different from what it was when the movement started. In other words, participants are inventing it as they go along. After this, this thesis will investigate the reasons why participants promote Hanfu in modern Chinese society. In general, the cultural deficiency of Han identity and aspiration to express ‘self’ can be seen as the main reason behind this movement. At the same time, advocates seek to promote the awareness of cherishing ethnic culture when encountering other cultural forms. The fourth chapter will focus on different achievements by four kinds of Hanfu advocates and public opinions emerge in the process of movement. Still, the movement remains popular among young Chinese, for reasons I will set out through this thesis.Show less

Leiden University Student Repository

Documents

In Collections

Revival or Invention? —— Young people and the"Modern Hanfu Movement" in contemporary China