Daxiushan

Origins and history

This style emerged prominently during the Tang dynasty, becoming the preferred attire for royal women. As external influences from Central and Western Asia waned, domestic styles grew broader and looser. By the mid-to-late Tang period, distinctions between royal and common dress became clear. While commoners wore narrower sleeves, royal garments featured widths exceeding four feet. The Song and Ming dynasties continued this tradition, adapting the design for their own courtly needs while maintaining its ceremonial role.

Design and construction

The garment features a gown extending from the ground to just above the chest, secured with a waist knot. A sheer outer coat often ties near the knees, accompanied by a long pibo draped around the arms. Variations exist based on collar types, including parallel, cross, or collarless designs. It could be layered under a skirt or worn as an outer piece. During the Ming era, specific colors denoted rank: yellow for the empress and red for imperial clan members and titled court women.

Influence in Korea

The Ming dynasty bestowed these robes upon queens of Joseon, where they became known as daesam. Early Joseon queens wore red, non-decorated versions for state ceremonies. Although the practice of bestowal ended in 1603, the daesam remained in use for weddings and rituals. Later, the jeogui replaced it as the primary royal ceremonial wear, though its style retained influences from the earlier daesam design.

How Daxiushan is kept

Worn by empresses, concubines, and aristocratic women, the daxiushan was layered over skirts or used as outerwear. It featured wide sleeves and varied collars. Commoners were prohibited from wearing it, opting instead for the beizi. In Korea, queens adopted the red version for state events until the jeogui became standard.

When and where

It was worn during special ceremonial occasions throughout the year. Its popularity peaked in the Tang dynasty and persisted through the Song and Ming periods for official court functions.

Originating in China, it was worn at the imperial courts of the Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties. The style also spread to Korea, where it influenced royal wedding attire during the Joseon period.

What Daxiushan means

The garment signified high social status and royal authority. Its restrictive nature, often covering only half the breast, limited its use to princesses and high-ranking gējī. The width of the sleeves and the quality of materials reflected the wearer's position within the strict court hierarchy.

Who takes part

• Empresses and concubines: Wore the daxiushan as ordinary or ceremonial clothing
• Aristocratic women: Used it for formal court appearances and rituals
• Common women: Were forbidden from wearing it, wearing beizi instead
• Joseon queens: Adopted the red dashan for state ceremonies

Questions people ask about Daxiushan

See also

JokduriA traditional Korean coronet worn by women during weddings and other special occasions.XiuhefuA modern two-piece Chinese bridal outfit inspired by Qing dynasty styles and popularized by a 2001 television drama.XiapeiThe embroidered scarf or waistcoat that marks a woman's status in Chinese and Korean weddingsCloud collarA detachable shoulder collar worn by Han Chinese brides to frame the face and symbolize cosmic order.

Good reading and sources

• Daxiushan on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Wedding customs differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.