Young children wore them for protection against evil spirits and then, as the child grew older, to bring good fortune when taking the important examinations. Many colourful embroidered examples still surface in the antique shops and markets in China. Even today in traditional homes, these hats are worn.
Babies' Hats
The first style wasthe Rice Bowl Hat worn from the age of one month, when it would be presented to the child usually by the maternal grandmother. Made from a strip of red satin or cotton gathered at the top, it was called a "rice bowl" style in the south, as it resembled an upturned rice bowl. It was embroidered with designs of flowers, fruit, and Chinese characters wishing the child long life and good fortune.
The second type, Open Crown, also worn in infancy, was similar to the first, but the top of the crown was more open. It often took the form of an animal such as a tiger, lion or pig, with a face at the front and a padded tail at the back. The Chinese character for "king"’ is at the centre as the tiger was considered to be the king of beasts.
Young Children's Hats
When the child was about a year old he would wear the Dog Head cap to fool bad spirits into thinking the child was an animal and thus of no value. This cap was made of black or red cotton or silk, plain or patterned. A horizontal cut about a third of the way up from the front was folded down to give the impression of dog's ears.
The Wind Hat was a style for wearing in the winter. Shaped like the Dog Head Hat, or with the crown gathered into a circle, a long back extension kept the neck warm in cold weather. This type was often lined and padded, some being embroidered with flowers and birds, while others had the face of a fierce animal.
The next style to be worn was the Animal Hat made to represent either the lion, tiger or dog, and to emulate the strength and ferocity of the animal. All hats had ears to hear evil approaching, large protruding eyes to spot danger, and a mouth full of bared teeth. Some animal hats had another animal on top of the hat to give greater protection to the child. An embroidered back flap was added to cover the back of the neck in cold weather.
Older Boys' Hats
As the boy grew older, hats were worn less to protect against evil, and more to bring success for the future. Such was the reason for the Scholar Cap, given to the child in the hope that he would do well in the official examinations. At the back were often two streamers and two pointed "feathers" which had been on the gauze caps worn by scholars and officials during the Ming dynasty.
Hats worn on festive occasions and the Lunar New Year were shaped more like a Crown. One type called an eagle hat had upturned wings said to represent an eagle which, as it soared high ensured the wearer would rise high in office; as it swooped low hoped the wearer would live to become a grandfather.
A further style was an Eight Segment Hat with a false fringe and queue made of black twisted silk thread. The crown was made of stiffened cardboard, covered with silk, and divided into eight sections, each embroidered, often with emblems of the Eight Immortals.
A final style worn for everyday was the plain black Skull Cap like those worn by men. The cap was made from six segments fixed to a narrow brim. Made of stiffened black satin it was topped with a black or red button or silk pom-pom.
Collecting these little hats add a touch of color to the Western home and are a reminder of another era.
Valery Garrett - I was born in England but I’ve lived in Hong Kong for over thirty years. At first I worked as a fashion designer for some large ...
