Getting the background right

Shanghai has China's most henpecked husbands?

Armpit hair here to stay

How are Chinese men judged, if not by appearance? We put it in context with a look back in history.

Pan An, a scholar from the West Jin Dynasty (226-316), is considered the epitome of male good looks in ancient China. History has it that whenever he went out, he would be showered with flowers and fruits from his legion of female admirers. Even today, "as handsome as Pan An" is used to describe an extremely good-looking man.

There is no record of the height or facial features of Pan An, but we know he was a talented writer and that he was very faithful to his wife, manifesting the deep-rooted Chinese belief that men are recognized for their talent instead of physical appearance.

Conservative Chinese culture did not advocate sexual appeal or admire the muscle men.

China’s greatest ancient sage Confucius put it down in his Analects long ago that we should never judge people by their appearance. Inner qualities are more important, said the Sage, who considered physical appearance superficial. It is also true for women.

In real life, beauty is always considered a merit for women, even if it may not be the most important one, especially in a society where women were subordinate to and dependent on men.

Because of their traditional social roles, men worked hard to pursue fame and fortune while women made themselves beautiful to please the men. Women in ancient China were required to be virtuous, talk decently, with good manners and work diligently.

In an era when marriages of families with similar backgrounds were considered stable and suitable, a talented groom and a pretty bride were seen as a perfect match.

— WU NI