‘Hànfú’ (汉服) literally means ‘Han clothing’ — ‘Hàn’ refers to the Han ethnic group, China’s largest ethnic majority, and ‘fú’ means ‘clothing’ or ‘garment’. It denotes the traditional attire worn by Han Chinese people from the Han dynasty through the Ming dynasty, characterized by cross-collared robes, wide sleeves, sashes instead of buttons, and layered silhouettes. Modern hànfú is not historical reenactment alone; it’s a living cultural revival movement, often worn during festivals, weddings, coming-of-age ceremonies, or as everyday fashion by young people expressing ethnic pride and aesthetic appreciation.

Hànfú differs from other traditional East Asian garments like Japanese kimono or Korean hanbok — though they share historical roots, each evolved independently with distinct cuts, fabrics, and symbolic motifs. Today, wearing hànfú signals cultural awareness and continuity, and many enthusiasts study historical texts and archaeological findings to reconstruct authentic styles. It is also increasingly visible in urban settings, social media, and even school cultural events across China and overseas Chinese communities.