The Expression of Religious Elements and Factors of Religious Thoughts in the Empress’s Ceremonial Costume “Hui Yi” of Song Dynasty

Abstract

Hui Yi (袆衣) is the highest standard ceremonial costume to the empress in the Song Dynasty, used for important occasions such as wedding ceremonies, coronations, holding court, and ancestral shrine sacrifices. This paper uses the method of literature research, as well as using the method of mutual demonstration of historical books and image data to summarize the types of religious elements in the Song Dynasty empress’s Hui Yi (袆衣). By using interdisciplinary research methods, combined with art, sociology and history, this paper analyzes the reasons for the formation of religious elements. The purpose of this paper is to understand the religious development of Song Dynasty society by the design elements of Hui Yi (袆衣). Studies have shown that the empress’s Hui Yi (袆衣) of the Song Dynasty followed traditional Confucianism in costume forms and colours, and the accessories and patterns reflected Buddhist and Taoist elements. This has a lot to do with the religious system and social customs of the Song Dynasty and confirms the integration of the three religions of “Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism” in the Song Dynasty.