Study on Hairstyles in Anthropomorphic Jade Artifacts from the Shang to the Western Zhou Dynasties

Abstract

Hairstyles，as a significant manifestation of human beauty，are often endowed with a primitive aesthetic sensibility. The hairstyles on Shang Dynasty anthropomorphic jade artifacts include loose hair，braided hair，tied buns, and short hair. The Western Zhou Dynasty essentially inherited these hairstyle types from the Shang Dynasty，though short hairstyles became less common，and specific stylistic forms continued to evolve. This transformation reflects the evolutionary relationship between the hairstyles of the two periods，helping us recognize that hairstyles not only visually represent personal identity and regional characteristics but also carry profound cultural connotations and folk customs. Furthermore，they suggest continuous interaction and integration among different ethnic groups over prolonged exchanges，collectively giving rise to a new cultural form characterized by both diversity and inclusiveness.