An Alternative Description of Homosexuality: An Interpretation of Nan Fengand His Culture in Hairpins on Men's Hats

Hairpins on Men's Hats was a collection of short stories in vernacular Chinese with homosexuality as its subject in late Ming Dynasty. Different from the traditional description of homosexuality, its writer highlighted homosexuals' admiring temperament. Some protagonists of the book have lofty characters and are different from the common people. They have exchanged their affections and are equal in personality. The images like Xiao Guan and You Ling have got away from the traditional mode of making money through beauty. They not only have their self-esteem, but also are grateful to those who have helped them. The unique figure Nan Feng has shown some minute change of aesthetic inclination of scholars and values of people from different classes, and has rich cultural connotation.