Cultural Story
Rouge Red
Rouge is one of China's oldest cosmetics. The Xiongnu people first made rouge from safflower, introduced to China by Zhang Qian's western mission. Tang Dynasty women applied rouge broadly across their cheeks. Yang Guifei's "sweat-tinted color" became a famous beauty anecdote.
Origin
Extracted from safflower and gromwell through multiple processes into rouge paste.
Symbolism
Rouge symbolizes feminine beauty, youth, and love.
Historical Origin
Rouge entered China from the Western Regions around the Han Dynasty, became everyday makeup for noblewomen in the Six Dynasties, and peaked in the Tang Dynasty.
Traditional Applications
Cosmetics
Textile
Painting
Related Poems
胭脂颜色何深浅，染得桃花似面颜。