Ancient Times: Small Feet and Painted Lips

During the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), being small and delicate was the ultimate beauty goal for women. One extreme example of this was foot binding, where women’s feet were tightly wrapped to stay small. This painful practice was seen as a symbol of elegance and femininity.

Lips were also considered very important. Women used a type of makeup called rouge, made from vermillion mixed with animal fat or beeswax, to paint their lips in interesting shapes like hearts and flowers. These vibrant lips were thought to be one of the most attractive features of a woman.

The Four Great Beauties

China has an ancient legend about the Four Great Beauties—four women so stunning they were said to change history. For example, Wang Zhaojun, one of these legendary women from the Han Dynasty, was admired for her pale skin and dark hair. She was believed to have brought peace because of her beauty. According to another story, when such women died, they became deities of flowers. Wang Zhaojun is remembered as a peony flower, which still symbolizes beauty in China.

19th Century: Western Influence

After the Opium War in the 19th century, Western ideas began to influence Chinese beauty standards. Women still valued full lips, but the style shifted to a natural look with lighter makeup. White skin continued to be a symbol of beauty, with women using white powders and light blush to create a soft, glowing appearance.

During this time, the qipao, a slim-fitting dress, became popular. The dress highlighted a woman’s figure and showed how much importance was placed on being thin and delicate.

Modern Day Beauty Trends

Today, some of the ancient beauty ideals still remain, while others have adapted to modern times.

1. White Skin
2. The preference for light skin is as strong as ever. Many women use skin-whitening products or even change their diets to keep their skin pale. Foods like milk and Chinese yams are believed to naturally whiten the skin. Women often go to great lengths to avoid the sun, wearing masks or carrying umbrellas outdoors.
3. Small Size
4. Being thin is very important in modern-day China. Clothing sizes in stores rarely go above a U.S. size 4, and shoe sizes are often limited to U.S. size 7. This shows how much Chinese culture values petite and slender women.
5. Eyes and Plastic Surgery
6. Nowadays, a lot of focus is placed on the eyes. Many women want the “double eyelid” look, which makes the eyes appear larger and rounder. This trend has been influenced by Western beauty ideals. Plastic surgery is also very common, with procedures like double eyelid surgery and nose reshaping being the most popular.

Why Beauty Matters

In China, there’s a strong belief that being beautiful can lead to success and happiness. This is why so many women strive to meet these beauty standards, even if it means using extreme measures. The idea that “one whiteness can cover three kinds of ugliness” reflects how deeply these ideals are rooted in Chinese culture.

What Can We Learn?

Beauty standards have changed a lot over time, but they always reflect what a society values. In ancient China, beauty was about elegance and tradition. Today, it’s influenced by both history and global trends.

It’s important to remember that true beauty comes in many forms.