Liangbatou
A tall Manchu headdress featuring two side-parted hair sections and elaborate ornamentation.
The liangbatou is a distinctive headpiece worn by Manchu women during the Qing dynasty. It evolved from a simple hair arrangement into a complex structure using wire frames and silk, becoming a symbol of social status and ethnic identity.
- Worn by Manchu women during the Qing dynasty.
- Made famous by Empress Dowager Cixi.
- Features a tall structure with wire frames and satin.
- Symbolized Manchu identity and social status.
- Popular subject in modern period dramas.
What it is
This style consists of a tall headdress featuring two handfuls of hair parted to each side of the head. It often includes wire frames, extensions, and heavy ornamentation. The structure sits atop the wearer's head like a flat crown. Variations include the simpler yizitou and the more elaborate dalachi. It serves as a distinct marker of Manchu identity and social standing.
Where it comes from
The style gained prominence during the Qing dynasty and remained popular until the Republican Period. Empress Dowager Cixi and her court ladies made it famous, using it for diplomatic functions and political re-consolidation. While the queue hairstyle was mocked globally, this headdress captivated onlookers with its unique size. After the Qing dynasty fell in 1911, Manchu women largely abandoned it for Han styles.
What it means
The liangbatou revealed a woman's social and marital status. It became a powerful symbol of Manchu identity and imperial propaganda. Wearing it signaled support for the Qing dynasty and strengthened ethnic ties. In theatre, it transformed into a comical prop used to represent customs and desires to reinstate the old regime.
How it is made
Hair is twisted up and around a flat strip called a bianfang, made of ivory, wood, or metal. A wire-mesh base provides structural support. The frame is wrapped in stiffened black satin to create sharp edges. Silk cording holds the hair together. Decorative elements like flowers, jade, pearls, and coral are attached using hairpins.
Versions
Two main styles exist: the yizitou and the dalachi. The yizitou resembles the Chinese character for 'one' and is simpler. The dalachi reflects the characters for 'stretched wings' and is more elaborate. Court ladies preferred intricate floral arrangements with precious stones, while common women opted for demure looks with velvet flowers and silver pins.
In culture
Foreign visitors recognized the wearer as Manchu immediately. The style combined Mongol and Chinese adornment practices but added fresh and artificial flowers. It appeared in photography by John Thomson and John D. Zumbrum. Modern dramas like Legend of Zhen Huan and Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace use the style to define character rank and personality.
Questions people ask about Liangbatou
What is the liangbatou?
It is a tall headdress worn by Manchu women, featuring two side-parted hair sections. It uses wire frames and silk cording to hold an elaborate structure adorned with flowers and jewels.
Who made this style famous?
Empress Dowager Cixi and her Manchu court ladies popularized it. They wore it for diplomatic functions and political statements, making it internationally recognizable.
What materials are used to build it?
Construction involves a wire-mesh base, stiffened black satin, and a flat strip called a bianfang. Hair is secured with silk cording and decorated with jade, pearl, coral, or velvet flowers.
Is it still worn today?
No, it is primarily historical. Manchu women adopted Han styles after the Qing dynasty ended in 1911. Today, it appears mainly in theatre and historical television dramas.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Liangbatou", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryHairstyle rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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