Analysis on Chinese Ming Pibian Forms, Techniques and Social Functions

Abstract The pibian (皮弁, pronounced as pì biàn in Chinese) is a kind of cap specific to China. Before the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), it was made of deer hide, while in the Ming dynasty, it was woven with bamboo filament. Through analysis on the forms, techniques and materials used in the pibian preserved, we discovered that pibian displayed a superb artisanship level. The sign of status was depicted through the pibian’s structures and ornaments in an ingenious way, and its structures and components were closely linked with the social culture.