The 16 Pictures of Ancient Chinese Army Uniforms
China’s turbulent history has seen many dynastic struggles over the centuries. Due to the specific needs of different dynasties, the Chinese soldiers wore different uniforms and armors in different period, forming a very unique clothing system. Below are some vivid pictures of ancient Chinese soldiers’ uniforms. Check these pictures and let me know what you think of them by leaving comments below.
Shang Dynasty (1600 to 1050 BC)
Western Zhou Dynasty (1100BC-771BC)
Eastern Zhou Dynasty ( or known as The Spring and Autumn Period The Warring States Period) (770 BC to 221 BC)
Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC)
Han Dynasty (206 BC- 220 AD)
Wei and Jin Dynasties (220 to 420)
Southern and Northern Dynasties (420 to 589)
Sui Dynasty (581 to 618)
Tang Dynasty (618 to 907)
Five Dynasties and Ten Kindoms period (907 to 960)
Song Dynasty (960 to 1279)
Liao Dynasty (907 to 1125)
Jin Dyansty (1115-1234)
Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368)
Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644)
Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
This is very useful for a research into the Sui Dynasty. I need to be able to quote the source of the pictures for a bibliography. Can you please tell me the source of the pictures – which book you found them from?
Thank you for these photos.
Does anyone know the original Chinese name of the yellow cloth around the man’s shoulders in the Five Dynasties and Song Dynasties photos? I see it often in Chinese warrior clothing illustrations.
dragonsarmory.blogspot.co.id , check this website to get knowledge of medieval chinese armors. thanks
These are great photos. It is really hard to find source material for ancient Chinese soldiers. I am also a wargamer. I am currently working on a Ming Chinese at in 6mm. I am fairly pleased to see that my figures somewhat resemble the Ming picture.
It would be nice to know if the pictures are showing peasants or nobility.
Thankyou – very useful
I’m a Wargamer planning to paint 2 chinese 15mm armies – Han and Sung good to have these pictures labelled in English.
Lewis