Traditional Cloud Patterns in China

Shawls, also called cloud shoulders, are mostly made of satin and brocade. Most cloud shoulders are composed of four kinds of moire patterns, which are called four-in-one wishful pattern, willow pattern and lotus pattern. There are auspicious propositions such as rich peony, long life, and more than one year.

At first, the cloud shoulder was only used to protect the neatness of the neckline and shoulders, and later it gradually evolved into a decoration, mostly made of colorful brocade. Leaves reflect the sun like clouds after rain, and rainbows are scattered in the clear sky. Yun Jian is a unique costume style in the costume culture of Han nationality, which is rich in decorative patterns, artistic symbolic language, figurative meaning of numbers and profound cultural connotations.

The Origin and Development of Cloud Shoulder

Yunjian is a kind of clothing developed from the early fairy costume. The early cloud shoulders were mostly wing-shaped and fell on both sides of the shoulders. However, judging from the hundreds of plays in the murals of Han tombs in Yinan, there are also clouds around the neck.

Around the Song and Jin Dynasties, cloud shoulders around the neck gradually became the mainstream. By the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Yun Jian had spread to all social strata, especially when getting married, and became an indispensable costume for young women. In the Qing dynasty, Guangdong took peacock feathers as the thread, embroidered scores and cloud shoulder cuffs. Later, when I was 20 years old or married, I wore cloud shoulders.