The Music and Dance Attire and Fashion of the Song Dynasty：A Case Study of the "White Sand Song Tomb Daqu Murals"

Abstract

The excavation of the Baisha Song Tomb, one of the 100 major archaeological discoveries of the 20th century in China, has prompted significant scholarly interest in the study of Song Dynasty tomb murals. Among these, Tomb 1 features a large-scale mural depicting musical and dance performers, providing a rare and invaluable glimpse into the attire of entertainers during this period. This paper examines the clothing of the performers in the Baisha Song Tomb mural, using their sartorial choices as a lens to explore three key aspects of Song Dynasty society: (1) the emergence of a commercial economy and its influence on the rise of female performers as fashionable icons; (2) the aesthetic preferences that shaped the fashion of Song female musicians, with particular focus on their headdresses; and (3) the intellectual and cultural environment that supported the flourishing of female musicians and performers. The analysis reveals that the attire of these performers not only reflects the prevailing aesthetic trends of the era but also serves as an indicator of the changing social and political climate, where gender, cultural aspirations, and economic factors intersected. The study highlights the pivotal role of female performers in the Song Dynasty's entertainment culture, demonstrating their contribution to the diversification of societal life and the complex relationship between fashion, art, and social values. Ultimately, this paper argues that the clothing of musical and dance performers, as seen in the Baisha Song Tomb murals, offers profound insights into the broader cultural dynamics of the Song Dynasty.