Huadian, also known as huazi, mianhua, meizi, plum blossom makeup or plum makeup or Shouyang makeup, is a form of traditional Chinese women ornamental forehead makeup, which is located between the eyebrows and sometimes on the cheeks, the temples, and the dimples. According to a folklore legend, the huadian in floral shape originated in the Southern dynasty period; its creation is attributed to Princess Shouyang, a daughter of Emperor Wu of Liu Song. However, the origins of the huadian can be traced back earlier than the folklore legends to the Qin and Han dynasties, and even in the pre-Qin period with its customs arising as early as the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States period based on archaeological artifacts and studies. Its origins has no connection with the diandan, i.e. Baihao, found on the middle forehead of Buddha statue. The huadian was also popular among Tang and Song dynasties' women. The popularity of the huadian declined in the Yuan dynasty. The huadian forms an integral part of Chinese clothing culture. In present days, huadian is often combined with the wearing of hanfu, the traditional clothing of the Han Chinese.
Huadian applied on forehead, dimples, temples, and cheeks of a Buddhist donor in Tang dynasty hanfu, from Mokao Cave.
Women with huadian painted on forehead, from the painting Admonitions Scroll, attributed to Gu Kaizhi.
Courtesan with huadian on forehead, Tang dynasty
A Tang dynasty woman
Prunus mume is a Chinese tree species classified in the Armeniaca section of the genus Prunus subgenus Prunus. Its common names include Chinese plum, Japanese plum, and Japanese apricot. The flower, long a beloved subject in the traditional painting and poetry of Sinospheric countries, is usually called plum blossom. This distinct tree species is related to both the plum and apricot trees. Although generally referred to as a plum in English, it is more closely related to the apricot.
In East Asian cuisine, the fruit of the tree is used in juices, as a flavouring for alcohol, as a pickle, and in sauces. It is also used in traditional medicine.
Prunus mume
Unripe plum fruits
Washed and stemmed plum
Plum blossoms