Tang Dynasty Lamellar Chest Armor (Adventuress): 唐宋胸甲

August 07, 2025

Tang Dynasty Lamellar Chest Armor (Adventuress): 唐宋胸甲

Reenactor: 莫九歌

Tang dynasty adventuress in simple lamellar chest armor. Lamellar had long be a fixture of Chinese armor, during the Tang and Song dynasties these simple armor were worn by low level garrison soldiers and watchmen. She wears a silk Yuánlǐng Shān 圆领衫 lit. "Round Collar Robe" popular in this era decorated with Central Asian motifs. She wore a headscarf hood over her head. Variation of such hoods were widely worn by merchants and travelers along the Silk Road and they were designed to provide cover against sand and biting wind.

Lamellar armor had been used in China since ancient times, often as an extremely affordable option for protecting even the lowest rank of soldiers from harm. Unlike more complex armors such as chainmail and plate armors, lamellar armors were very easy to repair and replace. Combined with the immense level of prosperity and expansions made by the Tang dynasty ensured that the armor was very familiar from all ranks of Tang and later Song dynasty soldiery. During the early Tang- the armies were still arranged in the Fubing System, an vast system where self- equipped militia garrisons could be rapidly mobilized along an entire frontier in times of war.

Tang Adventuress Augmented for Travel: During the politically progressive Tang- women possessed greater autonomy compared to later ages. In the Tang Dynasty, women could not only retain property on to themselves but also pass them on at their choosing. Women also participated in sports including highly competitive equestrian sports such as polo. It was not uncommon for women to conduct business affairs across long distances of travel. They conducted social activities and carried on business independently. Some also cross-dressed and ventured as scholars and students- while others took jobs as Daoist abbesses and practiced martial arts. Additionally Tang women could also freely remarry.

Lamellar chest armor were extremely rudimentary and simple, merely plating of pieces of lamellar scales threaded together and secured by leather straps. However outside of the ribwork the wearer often also integrated coats and travel cloaks, thus often the chest armor are but one piece of the whole rather than the entirety of the outfit. Additionally, they are frequently worn with armguards for simple yet flexible protection.

Reenactor: 雨泽佚.

Tang Modao swordmaster 陌刀良家子 with lamellar chest armor.

He carries a long 2 handed modao sword.

RELATED: 《金桃》JINTAO- or "GOLDEN PEACH" BY FAIN WOO

Artwork:《金桃》2021 by Fain Woo

One of the series of artworks that I loved to bits is the amazing Jintao《金桃》. The designs are very simple but superb, the pink/ green color choice and silhouette are prominent when it is flanked by the highly saturated and sandy western backdrop and really exudes the aesthetics of this era. Although in matters of equipment it is simple it is also extremely elegant and unforgettably iconic.

Western Regions: at the time, the Tang's Western regions consisted of the massive Anxi Protectorate- which comprised the whole of what is today's Xinjiang Autonomous Region and parts of the Ferghana Valley. The region was a key annex to the Silk Road and was ethnically very diverse, many ancient Tarim Oasis cities maintained their Tocharian traditions here- during this era it was centuries before the region was infused with Uighur culture. Additionally, the region was also predominantly Buddhist.

Reference: figurines from Norther Wei to the early Tang period frequently featured riders- both men and women that covered their face with a square scarf that wrapped around their mouth and neck, cheeks and even the shoulders.

Mimicked Scarring Makeup: "Xue Yun Zhuang" (血晕妆), or "bloodied" or "scratched" makeup, involved creating the appearance of facial scars. This style, popular during the mid-to-late Tang Dynasty,

Female protagonist closeup prominently showcasing her robe's intricate Hu (none Han Chinese- Western regional) designs. During this era Tang was heavily influenced by Central Asian aethetics.

A contemporary Adventuress with Headband,

Tang dynasty doll recovered from western regions

with coat and robe of intricate designs still preserved in vivid colors.

Tang Dynasty Foot Ball Girl

Artwork by: heinz leivonen

The ancient Chinese game, Cuju, is recognized by FIFA as the earliest form of football. Cuju, meaning "kick ball," was played with a leather ball filled with feathers and involved kicking the ball through an opening. It was popular among the military and nobility, and was even used for military training.