Shubi (comb)

Shubi (Chinese: 梳篦), also called as zhi (Chinese: 栉), is a generic term used for Chinese combs in China, which includes thick-teeth comb shu (Chinese: 梳) and thin-teeth comb bi (Chinese: 篦). Shubi originated about 6000 years ago in China during the late Neolithic period. Some Chinese combs dating from the Shang dynasty were found in the Tomb of Fuhao. In ancient China, Chinese combs had a high special status, a high artistic value, was an important form of hair ornament in Chinese history. Chinese comb also had and continues to hold unique cultural meaning and emotional value. Chinese combs in China were not used only for grooming purposes, they were also used holding and decorating hair. Both Chinese men and women wore decorative combs in their hair in ancient China. Chinese women often wore combs and fine-tooth combs in their hair buns. Chinese comb-making was also an important form of traditional Chinese art and business industry.

The term shubi (梳篦) also includes to two types of combs: shu (梳); also lit. translated as comb, and sometimes also refer to coarse and thick-teeth comb; and bi (篦; "a type of fine-tooth comb"). The term shubi also refers to a form of hairstyle in ancient China.

The usage of the term zhi (栉) has relatively unstable. The use of the term zhi to refer both types of combs; i.e. thick-tooth combs and fine-teeth combs were only found in the pre-Qin dynasty literature. However, the term zhi was partly changed by the word shu (梳) to refer to thick-tooth comb in the Sui and Tang dynasties. The term zhi was partly changed again by the word bi (篦) to only refer to thin-tooth combs after the Yuan dynasty.

According to a legend, the Chinese comb was invented by one of the concubine of the Yellow Emperor, called Fang Leishi (Chinese: 方雷氏).

The invention of bi, the fine-tooth comb, is attributed to a Spring and Autumn period official called Chen Qizi who was put into prison after being found guilty. In prison, Chen Qizi developed lice on his head which made him itch intolerably. After being tortured by the prison wardens with bamboo planks, Chen Qizi discovered that the bamboo planks would be split into strips; he then packed these wooden strips together to create the original fine-toothed comb to clean his hair from lice and dirt.

According to a legend, after the defeat of Chiyou, the craftsman Hao Lian, who knew how to make combs, was captured, imprisoned and given the death sentence. The prison warden, Huang Fu, discovered that Hao Lian could make combs and advised him to make a comb to save his life overnight. The comb made by Hao Lian was presented to the Queen Luo Zu, but Hao Lian was already executed before an amnesty could be issued. After Hao Lian's death, Emperor Xuan Yuan appointed Huang Fu to lead other craftsmen in comb-making based on the models left behind by Hao Lian. Since this time, Hao Lian and Huang Fu have been both considered as the founders of comb trade.

Chinese combs were also an essential component of dowry in ancient China; they are also a symbolism of a happy life.

Prenuptial hair-combing ceremony, also known as shang tou (上头), is a traditional Cantonese Chinese ritual which takes place on the eve of the wedding by the couples. It is held at a time which is considered auspicious at the homes of groom and bride respectively to symbolize a rite of passage. This practice is still performed in some ethnic groups in Singapore. It is believed to have been introduced in Singapore by the Cantonese.