What's Considered "Beautiful" in Ancient China?

Image Source: Novoland Pearl Eclipse

In early Chinese matriarchal societies, women who were large and strong were considered to have the beauty of fertility, meeting the needs of both labor and reproduction.

But starting from the Spring and Autumn period, men viewed women who were “weak and fragile" as beautiful.

By the Han Dynasties, women with slender waists and petite bodies were regarded as the highest standard. One example is Zhao Feiyan, the queen of Han. Apparently, she was so lightweight that she could stand and dance on people's hands.

Han women would also paint their faces snow-white, and use red paint to make their lips look very small. From then on, pale skin and small cherry lips became the standard for ancient female beauty in China.”