what does it mean to wear a green hat in china

Wearing a green hat in China means that a man's wife or partner is cheating on him, i.e., he is a cuckold. This is a cultural expression with a strong negative connotation. The phrase comes from historical and legendary sources, including a story from the Tang Dynasty where a wife used her husband's green hat as a signal to her lover when the husband was away. Additionally, in the Yuan Dynasty, male relatives of prostitutes were required to wear green hats, linking the color with infidelity and loss of dignity. Because of this meaning, wearing a green hat in China is considered taboo and can bring mockery or embarrassment. The symbolism may apply to all genders today, not just men. This cultural association is so strong that people generally avoid wearing green hats to prevent any implication of being cheated on or losing face.