Handkerchief, written as "手绢" or "手帕" in simplified Chinese characters. Ancient Chinese people uses "巾"(kerchief) since Qin Dynasty(221 BC - 206 BC), and one style of "巾" developed to "手巾"(handkerchief) in Han Dynasty(202 BC - 9 AD; 25 AD -220 AD).

In 1959, Chinese archaeologists find a blue and white printing handkerchief in an Eastern Han Dynasty tomb in Xinjiang province. And a line in the famous Eastern Han Dynasty poem "the Peacock Flies to the Southeast" goes "the girl cry and covers her mouth with a handkerchief". All these evidences implies Chinese people use handkerchief since at least Eastern Han Dynasty.

In China, people use handkerchief to wipe hands, nose and perspiration. Girls also use it to decorate, wrap little things, and even pledge love. Since Ming Dynasty, "good sisters" were called "handkerchief sisters".

In modern times, Chinese people use handkerchief just as the ancients, but only before 2000. After tissue came out in the 21st century, handkerchief fade away in China. But in the heart of every Chinese over 30, handkerchief will always be an unforgettable memory. They have used handkerchief when they were little child, and even played&sang the game&song "Diū Shǒu Juàn​​"(Drop the Handkerchief).

Fortunately, 20 years later, some Chinese start to reuse handkerchief for environmental reasons. And thanks to the Hanfu Movement, Hanfu fans also prefer choosing handkerchiefs to match the outfits. In this trend, Chinese handkerchief become more beautiful with embroideries and more interesting with customized Words on it.