In ancient China, the hierarchy was strict. Under the influence of this hierarchical system, ancient costume culture, as the externalization of social material and spirit, is an important part of the ceremony. In order to consolidate its position, the ruling class put the function of clothing in a prominent position. In addition to improving our health, clothing is also regarded as a tool to distinguish the noble from the humble, and it is the image spokesperson of class society.

Clothing is like a symbol. In ancient society, clothing was strictly distinguished. Different clothes represent that a person belongs to different social classes, which is a sign of "politeness". There is a clear stipulation in the Book of Rites on the level of clothing: "The emperor is the dragon, the people are waiting for you, the doctor is waiting for you, the scholar is dressed in mysterious clothes, the emperor is the crown, the green algae, and the people are waiting for you. I am also responsible for this person. " There is a record in Zhou Li: "When you enjoy the first king, you will be crowned, which means that all emperors and officials wear dresses when offering sacrifices and gifts." During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, hundred schools of thought also had insightful views on the function of "ceremony" in clothing. For example, it is polite for Confucianism to advocate "charter civil and military". This view is inseparable from its image as a defender of feudal hierarchy.

The function of this "ceremony" is also reflected in the color of clothing. For example, Confucius once declared that "evil purple captured Zhu Ye" (The Analects of Yang Huo). Because Zhu is a positive color and purple is an intermediate color, everyone should be assigned to the positive color and the intermediate color artificially to consolidate the hierarchy. In history, almost every dynasty of "white", "bud head", "soap official" and "crimson purple" had relevant regulations on clothing color.

For example, "Costumes of China in Past Dynasties" records that during the Qin and Han Dynasties, the colors of scarves were "Shu Ren black, coachman red, mourning white, bearers yellow, cooks green and political slaves green". Tang looked at official property by the color of official clothes. ""this is called township tribute to raise hemp thorns. "In the fourth year of Zhenguan in the Tang Dynasty and the first year of Shangyuan, the regulations on clothing color and wearing were promulgated twice. In the Qing dynasty, besides the official uniforms, the number of pythons was used to divide official positions, and yellow was also forbidden. For example, the crown prince uses apricot yellow, the prince uses golden yellow, and the subordinate kings and other official positions must not be rewarded with yellow.