{"id":1550,"date":"2025-05-17T01:11:27","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T17:11:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/?p=1550"},"modified":"2025-05-16T14:49:52","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T06:49:52","slug":"song-dynasty-pearl-makeup-%e7%8f%8d%e7%8f%a0%e5%a6%86-why-it-was-popular-and-how-it-was-applied","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/1550","title":{"rendered":"Song Dynasty Pearl Makeup \u73cd\u73e0\u5986: Why It Was Popular and How It Was Applied"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Zhang<\/a><\/p>\n

Did you know that during the Song dynasty, women would stick pearls onto their faces? This unique style was known as Pearl Makeup.<\/p>\n

Pearl Makeup (\u73cd\u73e0\u5986 ; zh\u0113n zh\u016b zhu\u0101ng): Adorning the forehead, temples, or cheeks with pearls.<\/p>\n

\n

In ancient China, women often used pigments to paint decorative shapes, or applied materials such as silk paper, gold, jade, and other items on their faces. The placement of the decorations is also very particular. The ones on the forehead are called Huadian<\/a>, the ones on the corners of the mouth are called Mianye<\/a>, and the ones on both sides of the temples (corners of the eyes) are called Xiehong<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Huadian, Mianye, and Xiehong were a popular makeup in the Tang dynasty.<\/p>\n

Although the style of the Tang dynasty still had some influence in early Song, the trend gradually shifted. As the aesthetic preference moved toward elegance and delicacy, the once-popular Huadian\u2014a decorative makeup element often seen in the Tang dynasty\u2014began to fall out of favor.<\/p>\n

In its place, pearls became the ideal choice. Women began adorning their foreheads, temples (corners of the eyes), and cheeks with pearls. This kind of makeup reflected the simplicity and low-key luxury that defined Song dynasty aesthetics.<\/p>\n

\"Zhang<\/a>
Song dynasty Empress of Qinzong<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why Was Pearl Makeup Popular in the Song Dynasty?<\/h4>\n

Aesthetic Style of Elegance and Purity<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Song dynasty valued an aesthetic style that was elegant and delicate. Makeup elements commonly used in previous dynasties, such as Mianye, Ehuang, and Xiehong, were considered too flirtatious and glamorous for women of the Song dynasty. Therefore, beauty-loving women replaced those decorations with elegant pearls, leading to the trend of “Pearl Makeup”.<\/p>\n

Advancement in Pearl Cultivation Techniques<\/strong><\/p>\n

In W\u00e9n Ch\u0101ng Z\u00e1 L\u00f9 (\u300a\u6587\u660c\u6742\u5f55\u300b) by Pang Yuanying (\u5e9e\u5143\u82f1 ; P\u00e1ng Yu\u00e1ny\u012bng) of the Song dynasty, the originators and detailed methods of pearl farming were documented. As these techniques matured and spread, pearls became more widely available\u2014not just for makeup, but also in accessories, garments, and decorative objects.<\/p>\n

A Flourishing Commodity Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Song dynasty literature often mentioned “Pearl Skirts (\u73e0\u88d9 ; zh\u016b q\u00fan)” and “Pearl Shoes (\u73e0\u978b ; zh\u016b xi\u00e9),” showing how deeply pearls had entered everyday life. From noble families to common folk, everyone loved using pearls as adornments. The widespread use of pearls during this time reflects the economic strength and prosperity of the Song dynasty.<\/p>\n

\"Zhang<\/a><\/p>\n

What Was Used to Stick the Pearls On?<\/h4>\n

To apply Pearl Makeup, women used an adhesive called Hejiao (\u5475\u80f6 ; h\u0113 ji\u0101o), made from fish bladder. Hejiao was not only used for facial decorations but also for sticking feathers to arrows.<\/p>\n

To remove the pearls, women simply applied warm water\u2014making the process both convenient and gentle.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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