Futou (幞头) was originally a turban-like headwear which was tied at the back of its wearer's head, with the two corners going to opposite directions and acting as decorations. It was usually made of black muslin with an inner frame of soft Tung wood in order to give it shape. From the Sui to the Ming dynasties, the futou evolved and was developed. During the Song dynasty, the corners were usually styled straight, sticking out like wing-like flaps, which was accomplished via the means of bamboo or wire supports, and the futou could be any shape. According to the Pedantic Remarks of the Confucians by Yu Yan, this form of futou might have been developed to prevent the officials from whispering to each other during court audience with the Emperor. During the Ming dynasty, the futou returned to being a turban shape but the straight wings were retained, though much shorter in length.
It replaced the Guan as official courtwear around the Tang dynasty.
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