Han people's recognition of Hanfu is a part of national consciousness. During the China Chaos, intellectuals and people from all walks of life in the Central Plains fled to the south, retaining the fire of the Central Plains civilization, and gradually developing Jiangnan into a prosperous place. This event is called "Crossing the South with the Crown". In the Song Dynasty, Guo Jing did not want to abandon Han clothes and committed suicide.

Hanfu has a far-reaching influence because of the spread of Confucian kingly culture in China. Neighboring ethnic groups, including many other Confucian cultural circles (Han cultural circles), borrowed some characteristics of Hanfu by imitating the Chinese etiquette system, and took it as five gifts for good luck and ill luck. In addition, China and Li Bin also stipulated that the king of the four barbarians must wear his own clothes and appear before the Emperor China, which means that "the barbarian king is wearing his national costume". In the vassal system of Han and Tang dynasties, there was a so-called "gathering in the DPRK" system in which the leaders of neighboring ethnic groups regularly appeared before the emperor. No matter whether foreign monarchs, their envoys or courtiers pay homage to Emperor China, accept official positions and make contributions, or China fetes foreign monarchs, foreign monarchs should wear national clothes to present gifts. The national costume system has prompted the surrounding ethnic groups to form their own national costumes. For example, Emperor Taizong of Qidan came into contact with the Central Plains clothing system when he entered the Jin Dynasty, and after returning to the north, he formulated the national clothing and Hanfu system of the dynasty with reference to the Central Plains clothing system. Throughout the ages, there have been official tribute maps depicting the costumes of ambassadors of other countries.

Hanfu is also a very important ritual system in China culture.