“Phoenix Costume” of the She minority

People who have been to the provinces of Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and Jiangxi and visited the She minority would surely have noticed the She girls’ fancy clothes—the Phoenix Costume. The attractive costume was named after what the She people express their worship to—the Phoenix, which is also their symbol.

The Phoenix costume is comprised of a hat and eclectic clothing. First, girls tie their hair with red taenia, a traditional short rope, usually woolen. Then they put on a hat with a phoenix figure on it and affix a silver Phoenix-like hairpin pendant with silver chains and bells to the hat. When they walk, the chains and bells make pleasant sounds. There are also rules for the number of hairpins the girls wear—two for single girls and one for married women. This way, people can easily know a woman’s marital status.

“Phoenix Costume”

The Phoenix clothes consist of an upper coat and skirt and the style is strictly distinguished depending on age. For girls and unmarried women, the so-called “Small Phoenix” is embroidered with red and pink lace; for women younger than 40 years of age, the “Big Phoenix” is embroidered with wide laces of various colors instead of red and pink; for women older than 40, the “Old Phoenix” uses light blue and navy blue cloth. Comparatively speaking, men’s clothes of the She minority are simple and mostly blue and black made of ramie cloth.

She minority females cherish their “Phoenix Costume” dearly and keep it until they die, hoping that the phoenix will accompany them for their entire life.

“Peacock Costume” of the Dai minority

The peacock is the symbol of the Dai minority and Dai girls are fond of traditional clothes embroidered with peacock figures as a result.

“Peacock Costume”

According to an epic poem, a beautiful peacock princess was swimming in a pond when a prince came and stole her clothes; they fell in love and later got married. However, the prince’s father disagreed with the marriage and was determined to kill the peacock princess. The prince had to resort to the help of a dragon to rescue the princess. Fortunately, they reunited at last and lived a happy life ever after. In order to pay tribute to the two lovers, the Dai people wear peacock costumes during holidays and believe the peacock will bring them good luck and happiness.