Table of Contents
China is one of the world’s ancient civilizations with a very long history. It has a very rich heritage in many industries, and of course, the Chinese textile industry is no exception.
China has a long history of fabric development, showing technological progress, cultural influence, and economic and trade exchanges.
Chinese Textile: Ancient times (BC to Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties)
Invention of silk: The legendary Yellow Emperor period (about 27th century BC) had already had a prototype of silk, but accurate historical records show that China had mastered the technology of raising silkworms, reeling silk, and weaving silk in the Shang Dynasty (about 16th century BC-11th century BC). People raised silkworms, put them in a small sieve, and fed them with fresh mulberry leaves. When the silkworms grow up, they will make cocoons. The silk is taken from the cocoons and woven into silk, which is made into very exquisite clothes. Unlike hemp, silk is very skin-friendly and comfortable, and has a beautiful luster.
No matter which dynasty, sericulture was a very important matter, and silk was also a very precious item, which the emperor exclusively enjoyed. Later, China’s official weaving institutions worked meticulously, and silk was exported to other countries, and China was called the Silk Country. By the Western Han Dynasty, silk had become an important trade item and was exported to all parts of the world by sea and land. This was the famous “Silk Road” and the first foreign trade in fabrics. For a long time in history, the Chinese textile industry was at the world’s leading level in terms of technology and quality.
Other fibers: In addition to silk, ancient China also used plant fibers such as hemp and kuzu to make cloth. Linen is quite common in some archaeological discoveries.
Chinese Textile: From the Sui and Tang Dynasties to the Song and Yuan Dynasties
The maturity of textile technology: The Tang Dynasty was the peak period of textile technology, with the emergence of exquisite brocade, embroidery, printing, and dyeing techniques. The fabrics of this period reached a high level both in technology and art.
The introduction of cotton: During the Song Dynasty, cotton was introduced from India to China and began to be planted and used. During the Yuan Dynasty, cotton cloth gradually became popular and partially replaced linen cloth.
Chinese Textile Ming and Qing Dynasties
The prosperity of the textile industry: In the Ming Dynasty, especially in the early Qing Dynasty, the textile industry developed further, and Nanjing brocade and Suzhou embroidery were famous both at home and abroad. New dyeing and printing techniques were also developed in the Qing Dynasty.
International trade: Through the Maritime Silk Road, Chinese fabrics were exported in large quantities, affecting the world textile market.
Chinese Textile Modern and Contemporary
Industrialization process: From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, China began to introduce Western textile machines and started the mechanization process of the textile industry. Despite wars and political turmoil, the textile industry is still an important part of China’s industry. With the emergence of the machine textile industry, the hand-woven textile industry has undergone great changes. Machine weaving is more efficient, but hand-woven textiles are still passed down as intangible cultural heritage. Until now, there are still fabrics that are difficult to replace, hand-woven by machines: four-warp twill.
After the reform and opening up: After the reform and opening up, China’s textile industry has developed rapidly and has become a major textile production and exporter in the world. Especially since the 1990s, technological progress and market opening have enabled China to occupy an important position in the global textile market.
Chinese Textile Contemporary and Future
Technological Innovation: In recent years, China has made progress in smart textiles, environmentally friendly fibers (such as bamboo fiber, recycled fiber), etc.
Sustainable Development: With the enlightenment of environmental awareness, market demand has gradually emphasized green manufacturing and the circular economy.
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