Qun

In a broad sense, the Chinese character is a synonym for the word ; both of these are generic words for skirts in China. In ancient China, the Chinese character can refer to "lower garments," which included both the trousers called and the skirt also called which also use the same character . The term with the Chinese character also referred to skirt . According to the , the was called in the area of Wei and Chen; it was also called by some people from the east of the Pass. The also explains that the term which uses the character is the same as the term which uses the characters . It also explains that the , which uses the Chinese character , is a skirt by using the term with the characters . There are also specific terms which are related to the , such as and . The is a generic term which refers to unlined skirts. The is a generic term which typically refer to a form of inner skirt. == History ==

In the ancient times, the was referred as and existed even prior to the creation of the trousers called . Han dynasty Several wrap-over were found in the Han dynasty tombs. This led to the creation of a long excessively pleated-style , called , which was inspired by the ripped skirt of Zhao Feiyan and became popular. Song dynasty After the Sui and Tang dynasty, the pleats which were used in the increased in numbers, from a few dozens to over one hundred forming the . Yuan dynasty The continued to be worn in the Yuan dynasty. Qing dynasty The continued to be worn in the Qing dynasty. In this period, the worn by the Han Chinese were often which featured pleats and embroideries at the panels and decorative borders. The late Qing dynasty were also heavier compared to those worn in the earlier times as they were weighted by the embroideries and pleats. Republic of China During the early period of the Republic of China, people in Beijing continued to wear the clothing worn in the Qing dynasty. Women continued to wear the ; however, the had evolved in style and had become shorter. == Types and styles in ==

The can also have specific names based on the styles, design and constructions, the number of pleats and colours. In , the can be used in set of attire, such as the , , . In some dynasties, the could be found very long and was tied under the armpits either below or above the bust regions; are a form of made of alternative strips of fabric of two different colours sewn together. Its structure can be traced back to the late Northern Wei dynasty and continued to be used until the Five dynasties and Ten kingdoms period. This form of skirt was high-waist during the Sui and the Tang dynasties and were characteristics clothing for women during this time period. There are several forms of , such as the , The could typically vary in colour; however, red and green were the most common colours used. The was typically paired with the jacket. During the Qing dynasty, the was worn by Han Chinese women; it was typically worn by the wives of Chinese noblemen or wives of high-ranking Qing officials as part of their quasi-official formal clothing attire on ceremonial occasions when their husband would be wearing the Qing dynasty court robe attire. Wives of the Qing dynasty officials also wore the as part of their wedding attire and as their burial attire. The was a red skirt which was especially popular in the Tang dynasty. File:李震墓提壺托盤女侍圖.jpg|alt=|Shiliuqun (石榴裙) Imperial and court attire File:Imperial Encyclopaedia - Ceremonial Usages - pic361 - 裳.svg|alt= File:Imperial Encyclopaedia - Ceremonial Usages - pic373 - 朱裳.png|alt= File:Imperial Encyclopaedia - Ceremonial Usages - pic355 - 紅羅裳.svg|alt= == Types and styles in ==

, 18th century The was also used as a costume item in . There are several forms of which are used as by performing Chinese opera actors, which include the: • () is worn with an by a . • (): a skirt which has the shape of a tube; it is often worn as outer skirt being worn over an inner skirt, which could be pleated skirt. == Similar forms ==

• Chima – Korean equivalent == See also ==