Queue (hairstyle)

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Horse leading, mural(part) from Tomb in Aohan, Liao Dynasty

Geschichte des Kostüms (1905) (14580605068)

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Boxer queue

Queue is a traditional Chinese hairstyle most often worn by men. It consists of the hair on the front of the head being shaved off above the temples every ten days, resembling the Chinese character for "front" (前), and the rest of the hair braided into a long tail or "queue" that hangs down the back.

The queue hairstyle was a symbol of Han Chinese submission to Qing Dynasty rule and an emblem of their control. The Manchu leaders of the Qing Dynasty imposed the queue hairstyle on the Han Chinese population in the 17th century as a sign of submission. Initially, the imposition of the queue led to resistance and rebellion among the Han Chinese since it was seen as a humiliating symbol of Qing dominance and an affront to Han Chinese cultural traditions. However, over time, the queue became more accepted and integrated into Chinese culture.

The practice of wearing a queue began during the early Qing Dynasty. In 1645, the Dorgon edict was issued, forcing male Han Chinese to adopt the Manchu hairstyle and clothing under penalty of death. This edict was part of the Qing Dynasty's efforts to assert control over China and assimilate the Han Chinese population. The queue became a mandatory hairstyle for Chinese men and was a prerequisite for engaging in certain professions, attending school, and participating in official ceremonies.

Despite its origins as a symbol of subjugation, the queue became deeply ingrained in Chinese culture. It was not merely a hairstyle but also a marker of ethnic identity and loyalty to the Qing regime. The queue was worn until the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, when the Xinhai Revolution led to the establishment of the Republic of China and the queue was abolished as a symbol of feudalism and foreign domination.

The abolition of the queue marked a significant cultural shift in China, symbolizing the rejection of Qing Dynasty rule and the beginning of a new era. In the years following the fall of the Qing Dynasty, the queue came to be seen as a relic of the past, and modern hairstyles became popular as symbols of progress and modernity.