Initially posted on Monday, October 17, 2005
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Han_Chinese_clothing
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The pigtail was originally a symbol of subjugation, imposed by the conquering Manchus at the start of the Qing Dynasty. A long braid hanging down from the back of the head resembles a horse's tail and symbolized the speed and endurance of the animal that made the Qing conquest of China possible. The hairstyle consisted of a long braid at the back of the head, with a half-moon shape shaved into the hair above the forehead. Thick hair was fashionable, so the hirsutely-challenged added false hair and even entire false braids. Although the pigtail was initially an unwelcome imposition on Han Chinese men by the invaders, criminals and undesirables were forbidden to wear a ponytail so the style became a status symbol. At the end of the Qing Dynasty, resurgent Han nationalism made cutting off the ponytail a patriotic duty representing the casting off of the yoke of the Manchu Empire
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Han_Chinese_clothing
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