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Fengese Etiquette
For many ages, the Dynasties of the Hua civilization were known for their great ceremonies and etiquette. Today, much of the social etiquette of the Fengese are 8000 years old and passed down dynasty to dynasty until today. Famed for its complexity and sophistication, it is adhered to by billions of Huanese around the world.The Fengese Bow
Before moving on to greetings, farewells, etc, one should first understand the types of bowing in Fengese society. The Fengese style of bowing is called the “Fengese Bow”, a unisexual form of showing respect. The deeper the bow, the more respectful it is. Incorporating clothing as well as body, there are variations of this type of bowing: most involved the bending of the back. The right hand was flattened horizontally and placed over the left hand, also in the same position. The wide sleeves would hide the hands and unite. The face should be kept neutral and eyes closed.
The Hand Position of the Fengese Bow
Beneath the skirts and robes, the knees would be slightly bent so that the skirts crumpled upon the ground in the manner of a spread-out flower. The visibility of the hands must be kept at a minimum while the feet shouldn’t be revealed at all times. (For information regarding Fengese fashion, see the factbook:
The Ministry of Diplomacy
The hair and clothing customs and traditions of the Fengese is about as old as the Hua Civilization itself: 8 thousand years old. It is one of the most influential, with elements of it can be seen in other clothing styles such as the kimono. Famed across the world for their beauty, sophistication, and meaning, the clothing of the Hua consists of loose-fitting robes and is most recognizable for their crossing collars, right over left, and wide billowing sleeves, as well as their long plaid skirts that cover the feet of the wearer. The Hua clothing, called the Hanfu, usually consists of an outer robe, a skirt, undergarments, and sometimes an inner robe. These were usually secured with hidden buttons and a sash, jewelled belt or obi, sometimes the obi would have a banner hanging below, seen in figure 3 and 4.
Fig 1: An example of casual hanfu, with a black outer robe, white inner robe, and floor length blue skirt
Fig 2: An example of feminine Hanfu with a white and green outer robe and dark green skirt. The inner robe can be seen protruding for the sleeves of the outer robe and it’s collar
The Fengese held dressing to be extremely important. Fengese etiquette, and those of many other dynasties, demanded that one dress beautifully and well whenever one leaves the house. It is also considered a taboo to wear skirts that purposely revealed the shoes and arms. One was encouraged to keep the arms covered. The Hanfu also symbolized class.
Fig 3: The Hanfu style of the rich and those within the Imperial Court, with a red outer robe and white inner robe, as well as a white skirt
As seen above the robes of the elite were much longer, and walking a special kind of shoe was often worn to assist with walking. These shoes had protrusions that held back the skirt from the front of the foot. These kinds of Hanfu were often made of silk and other expensive textiles. Embroidery made of gold or silver were also popular. Hanfu of the upper class was often more layered.
Fig 4: The feminine Hanfu style of the rich with a plain beige coat, embroidered yellow robe, and a red skirt
The width and length of the robe also represented your class in society. The commons wore skirts that were only floor length and sleeves that were usually two feet wide. The wider the sleeves and more trailing the robe, the higher up you are in general.
Fig 5: The semi-formal attire of the Emperor with a richly embroidered robe, another embroidered robe that can be seen protruding from the yellow robe, and a white plaid skirt, hidden by the outer robe
Above is the semi-formal robe of the Emperor. As seen the yellow-orange colour, called Imperial Yellow, was reserved for use of the Imperial Family, although it would be reserved for only the Emperor if the serpentine dragon is embroidered upon. There are many other colours that are reserved for certain occasions. A plain, white robe was reserved for mourning. On the other hand, red, especially if embroidered with gold, was reserved for weddings couples.
Fig 6: Example of the Hanfu of a wedding couple
For farmers and those whose jobs demand practicality, their Hanfu would be much shorter and consist of a tunic of crossing collars and trousers.
[b]Hair[]/b]
The Fengese also held the hair to be of great importance. The hair of the Huanese is famed for their length. It is an important tradition that the hair be uncut in the Huanese, often their hair would hang well below the waist. Due to this, the Fengese and people of most of the predecessing dynasties twisted their hair to elaborate styles. The men often styled their hair into a topknot, adorned by pins, combs, and other adornments.
Fig 7: The Huanese Topknot
Fig 8: A variation of the Huanese Topknot
The woman had more freedom in their hair arrangements and styled their hair in various elaborate loops and buns. It was often adorned with combs, pins, and many other types of adornments.
Fig 9: An example of a feminine hairstyle
Fig 10: A feminine hairstyle
Fig 11: Another style of Fengese hair
The hair arrangements of the Imperial Court are far more elaborate. Decorated with much jewellery, they are designed to resemble a graceful building. A combination of loops and buns are used in the making of these hairstyles.
Fig 12: Empress Dowager Xiao in the years when Emperor Taizu was alive
Fig 13: Consort Dowager Ji, Consort to the late Emperor Taizu
Fig 14: Princess Chun, younger sister to Emperor Chongzhen
The Fengese had extremely elaborate headwear, worn during great ceremonies. Among them was the Mianguan: a elaborate crown worn by the Emperor during great ceremonies, such as coronations. Male members of the Imperial Family wore a version of the Mianguan without the hanging beads.
Fig 14: The Imperial Mianguan
The women of the Imperial Family didn’t usually wear headwear, rather they preferred elaborate hairstyles. However, they wore a type of crown called the Fenguan in great ceremonies, such as coronations.
Fig 16: The Fengguan
). If one was wearing heavy ornaments or regalia, one only had to slightly tilt the head while the knees should be bent more.
There are several variations of the Bow.
The Fengese Bow: The Casual Bow
The back is bent 15 degrees and the hand position used, but the knees are not bent.
The Fengese Bow: The Greeting Bow
The back is bent 45 degrees and the knees slightly bent, as well as the hand position used.
The Fengese Bow: The Full Bow
The back is bent 90 degrees and the knees bent, with the hand position used.
The Fengese Bow: The Kneel
This is one of the three bows that are different from the others. The right knee and rear touching the ground. In women, the hands and held in the same position as the other variations of the Fengese Bow and placed upon the thigh of the left leg while in men, the right hand rested on the left leg and the left hand rested upon the ground.
The Fengese Bow: The Full Kneel
The Full Kneel involves two knees rested upon the ground and the upper body held straight. The hands would be held in the position and movement kept to a minimum
The Fengese Bow: The Kowtow
This is another of the different bows and is the highest form of respect one can give. One first kneeled with both knees on the ground and the rear is rested upon the legs. The back is bent extremely low, so that the head touched the ground. The left hand rested over the right hand and is placed before the head.
An official kowtowing before Emperor Xianzheng (献正帝) of Shun Dynasty in a painting by Li si, painted in the same dynasty in 1254 AD
Normal Behaviour
A Fengese man or woman should always keep the arms and feet concealed within their robes, with the hands only revealed when holding something. The feet are to be concealed within the skirts and robes at all times, even during walking, by using small steps. Walking should always be silent, with no footsteps. When climbing stairs, the skirts are to only be lifted slightly, only enough to climb each step and only to be lifted from the sides. One should immediately allow the skirts to fall once finished. Running is kept at a minimum and only when absolutely necessary.
Greetings and Farewells
There is a sophisticated system of greetings within Fengese society. When greeting strangers, one used the Greeting Bow and used the phrase: “请安, 可请大人贵姓大名” (Greetings, could I request your noble house and name?). When greeting a friend or loved one of similar age, one used the casual bow and greeted with casual phrases such as “你好” (Hello). When greeting an elder or parent, or a member of the Imperial Court, one used the Deep Bow. However, when greeting a member of the Imperial Family, one used the Kneel. The Kneel is also used by members of the Imperial Family to greet those that are older, or higher than themselves. When greeting the Emperor, Empress, Empress Dowager, and other higher members of the Imperial Family, one kowtowed. The same bowing methods would be used during farewells.
When greeting a group of people, one greeted each in order of age and class. However, class often overruled age, and within the group of higher classed people,r. Than the elder of the commons should be greeted followed by the younger.
Gifting and Apologies
When giving gifts, one first bowed, using the respective bows for the respective persons, and offered the gift with both hands. The receiver would first bow a full bow and would first refuse, as customary. The giver would insist and the receiver will bow the respective bow to the respective person and receive the gift with both hands. One should insist giving a gift at least three times. If the person still refuses after three, only than one could retract the gift. Anything white should not be given, as white is the funerary colour and should only be used in mourning. Gifts are not to be opened in front of the gifter unless asked, and giving gifts in groups of four are taboo, as four is an unlucky number. One should also present the gift in person,
The Fengese also had a system of bowing for apologies. When apologising, one first bowed and stated what they had done, before apologising. There were different types of bows for apologies of varying seriousness. The Full Bow was used for normal apologies, while an apology for something serious, such as impregnation, would be bowed with the Full Kneel. An apology for the most serious crimes would use a kowtow.
Address and Personal Space
The Fengese had a system of address that was strictly adhered. When addressing a stranger, one addressed them as “大人”, and only called them by their surnames. In address to friends, one could address them by given name and spoken to in third person form. When addressing one that had titles and styles, one only called them by their style and never by their surname or given name. For example, the Emperor would be addressed as Your Highness, Your Majesty, and others. A Concubine would be addressed as My Lady, Your Ladyship, and others. An official would be addressed as Your Excellency, Your Grace, My Lord, and others. One should never call their parents or grandparents by name, no matter last or given.
The Fengese do not like over-familiarity. Touching are only acceptable between friends and family. Prolonged eye contact is seen as confrontational and should be avoided. Avoidance of eye contact was seen as reverential and is only considered rude if it is still avoided upon request.
Visiting, Table Manners and Respect
When visiting, one should give the Full Bow to the host first before entry. When entering a door, one always stepped over the threshold. The lifting of one’s robes and skirts should be kept at a minimum. When inside, one will be offered a seat within the sitting room. It is compulsory for the host to pour a cup of tea to every visitor, and always pour more when their cups empty. When inside, the host should always let the visitor be seated first and sit down only after they sat. Upon the approach of meal times, the host will always offer the visitor a meal at the house. If the offer is accepted, one should first refuse first and cite that it would cause to much trouble. The host should insist and only then can the visitor accept. When denying the offer, one should refuse a second time and speak their reasons clearly so it would not be considered an offence.
When at the table, one always allowed the host, or elders, or socially higher people to be seated first. Each will sit in order, similar to greeting in order explained in the Greeting and Farewells section. The host should be allowed to eat first, others can only begin eating when the host invites them to begin. When spooning dishes into one’s bowl, one should first watch for any arms that are in the way, as it is taboo for arms to cross on the dining table. Chewing should always be silent and the mouth should always remain closed in the process, opening only slightly to admit a morsel. When putting down cutlery, one should put it down at the sides of the bowl. Never stick a chopstick into a rice bowl as it resembles a food offering to the dead. Never pile the rice bowl high with either, as it also resembles offerings. One should comment upon the aesthetics of the food, than praise it’s taste upon first bite. When leaving, one should do a Full Bow in thanks for the meal. If eating out, than one should always offer to split the bill, which the host will always refuse and pay for him/herself.
