Why Did Tang & Song Dynasty Brides Wear Green Attire?

Brides in Tang and Song Dynasty settings wearing green attire, often seen in modern TV dramas, seems to stem from historical misunderstandings. In ancient China, wedding attire was not strictly codified, leading to various interpretations over time; however, noblewomen and officials adhered to specific dress codes defined by traditional rites. Cyan (or dark cyan) was considered a high-end color for women's formal wear from the Sui through the Ming Dynasties. Historical records, including "The Book of Sui" and "The Great Tang Kaiyuan Rites," indicate that empresses and noblewomen typically wore formal dresses in this color. The formal wear for women varied based on rank, with designs such as the "Yi dress" for the empress and various other styles depending on status. Ordinary women could also wear low-grade cyan dresses on their wedding day. Therefore, the portrayal of green-clad brides in popular media may misrepresent the historical use of cyan for formal occasions, especially weddings, highlighting the importance of revisiting historical sources for accurate representations of past traditions.