The Evolution of Chinese Armor: A Historical Perspective

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The Evolution of Chinese Armor: A Historical Perspective
Chinese armor has a rich history that spans several dynasties and thousands of years. From the use of animal parts such as rhinoceros hide, rawhide, and turtle shells, to the development of lamellar and scale armor, the evolution of Chinese armor reflects the changing needs and technological advancements of the times.To get more news about chinese armor, you can visit shine news official website.

The earliest archaeological evidence of armor in China dates back to the Shang dynasty (c. 1600 BC–c. 1046 BC), where breastplates made of shell or a one-piece rawhide or leather breastplate were used. Helmets made of bronze often sported elaborate designs consisting of animal motifs1. However, armor was almost exclusively for nobles; regular folks had little to no protection and more commonly used a hide covered shield made of wood or bamboo.

During the Zhou dynasty (c. 1046 BC–256 BC), armor consisted of either a sleeveless coat of rhinoceros or buffalo hide, or leather scale armor. Chariot horses were sometimes protected by tiger skins. By the Warring States period (481 BC–221 BC), Chinese armor was predominantly lamellar, supplemented by scale armor.

The Qin dynasty (c. 221 to 206 BCE) saw Chinese warriors wearing elaborate suits of armor, each one consisting of more than 200 pieces. Much of what historians know about this armor comes from the roughly 7,000 life-sized terracotta warriors found in the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (260 to 210 BCE).

During the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), brigandine began to supplant lamellar armor and was used to a great degree into the Qing dynasty (1644–1912). By the 19th century most Qing armour, which was of the brigandine type, were purely ceremonial.

The evolution of Chinese armor is a testament to China’s rich history and technological prowess. It serves as a reminder that warfare and protection methods have evolved over time, reflecting societal changes and advancements in technology.

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