Hello, I see that you posts a lot of hair ornaments, there are no name for each? I noticed that you also it called a “hairpiece”? I couldn’t tell what’s the difference between hairpin, hairstick and hairpiece. I think (簪) is a hairpin? So do these 2 characters (簪子) mean hairpin, hairstick, or hairpiece? What does it call? It would be very appreciate if there’s an answer to my question! But what if there’s this (子) at the end of the (簪)? Hi, thanks for the question! Thank you very much! The Chinese umbrella term for hair ornaments is Fa Shi/发饰. For detailed information on the different types of Chinese hair ornaments, I highly recommend the following resources: 1) Introduction to Traditional Chinese Hair Ornaments, 2) Categories of Traditional Chinese Hair Accessories, 3) Tradition of China – Hair Ornament Culture, 4) Ten Best Hanfu Jewelry Accessories. The posts on my blog also tend to use hairpin, hairstick, and hairpiece interchangeably. 1) Zan/簪 (aka Zan Zi/簪子, Fa Zan/发簪) – The most basic/common type of Chinese hairpin, typically used to stabilize hair. Also called Zan Zi/簪子 or Fa Zan/发簪 – don’t get confused, they mean the exact same thing. Usually decorated at one end. 2) Chai/钗 (aka Fa Chai/发钗) – Basically a two-pronged Zan. 3) Bu Yao/步摇 – Basically a Zan or Chai with mobile attachments (pendants, tassels, fringes) that swing when the wearer walks. Unlike the Zan which has just one pin/stick, the Chai has two. Hence the name Bu/步 (walk) 摇/Yao (shake). 4) Dian/钿 (aka Hua Dian/花钿) – A small hair ornament shaped like a flower (Hua/花) that is pinned to the hair for decoration (can also take other shapes). Women would bring a comb with them everywhere they went, and eventually started to put Bi on their hair as a means of decoration. Note – this is the hair ornament that Mulan wears in the Disney film! Now of course there are many more types of Chinese hair ornaments, but these are some of the most basic ones. 5) Bi/篦 (aka Bi Zi/篦子) – A fine comb that was originally used to comb and clean hair. I may update this list in the future. Again, for further information, please check out the links I listed above. You can also check out my hair ornaments tag, hairpin tag, and Q&A Masterpost for more resources.
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