Bixi (clothing)

Bixi (Chinese: 蔽膝; pinyin: bìxī; lit. 'Cover knee'), also known as fu (Chinese: 韍),[1] is a type of traditional Chinese decorative piece of fabric which acts as a knee covering.[2] It originated from primitive clothing and since then, it continued to be worn and became part of the ceremonial attire.[2] The bixi was worn by both men and women.[3]

Illustration of a bixi found in the Chinese encyclopedia Gujin Tushu Jicheng, section "Ceremonial Usages", between 1700 and 1725 AD.

History

The bixi originated from primitive clothing back when animal hides were used to cover the abdomen and the genitals.[2] During the Shang dynasty, the basic style of clothing for men and women consisted of yichang and bixi.[4] Among many other types of female clothing items, the bixi was listed in tomb inventories dating from 361 AD.[5] In the Ming dynasty, the bixi became part of the official clothing.[3]

  • A Standing Dignitary wearing a bixi, Shang dynasty, 12th-11th century BC.

Bixi in set of attire

Mianfu

A red bixi was worn as part of the mianfu which was worn by the Chinese emperors.[2]

Diyi

A bixi was also worn with the diyi worn by Chinese empresses; the bixi worn in the diyi hanged in front of the garment and had the same colour as the bottom colour as the lower skirt.[6]

  • Song dynasty empress wearing diyi.

See also

References
  1. Zhang, Fa (2016). History and spirit of chinese art. Honolulu. p. 13. ISBN 978-1-62320-130-2. OCLC 933763535.
  2. Hua, Mei (2011). Chinese clothing (Updated ed.). Cambridge, United Kingdom. p. 56. ISBN 0-521-18689-7. OCLC 781020660.
  3. Zhongguo xie zhen hua. Shanming Guan, 關善明 (Di 1 ban ed.). Xianggang: Mu wen tang mei shu chu ban she you xian gong si. 2003. p. 38. ISBN 988-97206-2-0. OCLC 56424659.CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. Lüsted, Marcia Amidon (2016). Ancient Chinese daily life (First ed.). New York. p. 22. ISBN 978-1-4777-8889-9. OCLC 957525459.
  5. Dien, Albert E. (2007). Six dynasties civilization. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press. p. 324. ISBN 978-0-300-07404-8. OCLC 72868060.
  6. Zhang, Shuhua; Shanat, Musdi bin Hj; Abdullah, Qistina Donna Lee (2021-03-31). "The Expression of Religious Elements and Factors of Religious Thoughts in the Empress's Ceremonial Costume "Hui Yi" of Song Dynasty". International Journal of Service Management and Sustainability. 6 (1): 89–108. doi:10.24191/ijsms.v6i1.12880. ISSN 2550-1569.
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