Chinese Clothing

Worksheet Description

On this worksheet you will read a passage and write a series of answers to questions.

In Ancient China, clothing was a symbol of status. The way that people dressed showed what kinds of lives they lived. Peasant’s clothes were made of a material that came from the fibers of a plant called help. It was rough and durable. Pants and shirts were usually loose-fitting, allowing for the range of movement required by the hard work the peasants did every day. Hemp was the primary fabric of the peasants until the Mongols conquered China during the Yuan Dynasty and introduced cotton clothing. Cotton quickly replaced hemp because it was cheaper, warmer, and softer.

This worksheet aims to cultivate a deeper understanding of the cultural, historical, and social intricacies of Ancient Chinese clothing. By presenting information on materials, colors, and their associated meanings, it seeks to underscore the symbiotic relationship between fashion and societal norms in historical contexts. The activity pushes students to think critically about how clothing can be more than just a functional necessity-it can be a powerful reflection of societal values, hierarchies, and traditions. Through this exercise, learners are encouraged to appreciate the multifaceted nature of clothing in ancient civilizations and to draw parallels with modern sartorial practices and their significance.