China Focus: Classic clothing gives 'gaokao' exam candidates a boost

KUNMING -- On Wednesday, the second day of the college entrance exam, one mother donned a traditional qipao dress in a striking shade of green and turned out to wish her daughter luck.

It was raining in Kunming, capital of Southwest China's Yunnan province, but the mother stood patiently beneath her umbrella outside the exam center, together with many other parents.

"Yesterday I was in red and today I'm in green, wishing my child good luck in the exam," said the mother surnamed Wu, who had bought two qipaos the week before.

In traditional Chinese culture, red is an auspicious sign of joy, while green symbolizes "all the best," according to Li Rui, a local qipao seller.

The qipao, featuring a high collar and delicate cloth buttons on the front, originates from gowns worn by women in China's Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Under the influence of Western culture, the qipao changed continually during the early 20th century, becoming more fitted and body-hugging, with side slits that reached up to the thigh.

"In recent years, it has become fashionable to wear qipaos before the exam period. We advertise before the exams and attract customers to come and buy," said Li Rui. The qipao sounds similar to the Chinese phrase "qikaidesheng," meaning victory.

The annual exam, better known as the "gaokao," saw a record 11.93 million candidates signing up this year. Aside from a postponement in Shanghai due to COVID-19, the exam kicked off Tuesday nationwide.

Wu and many other moms said they wore qipaos when they were young but seldom don them these days.

According to Li Fengmei, the mother of a student taking the test, wearing a qipao is a way of sharing good wishes with the children and giving them a sense of ceremony for the exam.

One mother surnamed Yan, said she hopes to share some good wishes with her child, as well as providing some company. "As the message is positive, this is good reason to wear one," said Yan.

It is not only mothers that are wearing the qipao. Some female teachers have been putting on the dress to cheer up their students.

Wang Chao, who just completed the exams in all subjects on Wednesday, said the adults' efforts are appreciated.

"The qipao is a traditional form of clothing. Putting on the robe during the exam day is innovative and makes us feel relaxed," Wang said.

Ma Fansong, a teacher in the social work department of Yunnan University, said that, while a student's final results depend on their daily efforts at school and performance in the exam, it helps to receive a little encouragement.

"To a certain extent, parents give their children and themselves a positive psychological suggestion by wearing the qipao," Ma said.