The Aristocratic Origins of “Wanku”

The term “wanku” (纨绔) originally referred to an item of clothing that symbolized elite status in ancient China. The character “wan” (纨) denoted a fine, glossy silk fabric reserved for the wealthy, while “ku” (绔) described an early form of trousers worn during the Zhou Dynasty.

Unlike modern pants, these ku garments were essentially two separate leg coverings tied at the waist—more akin to luxurious leg warmers than functional trousers. Worn beneath robes, they served little practical purpose for laborers, who preferred sturdy, full-length trousers for work. The elite, however, flaunted ku made from precious wan silk, even though these were rarely visible beneath outer garments. This conspicuous consumption birthed the term “wanku” as a marker of aristocratic excess.

“Gaoliang”: A Culinary Marker of Privilege

Parallel to sartorial luxury emerged the term “gaoliang” (膏粱), combining “gao” (膏, fatty meats) and “liang” (粱, premium millet). In China’s agricultural society, where most subsisted on coarse grains, these represented the pinnacle of gourmet ingredients:

– Gao: Rendered fat from prized cuts of meat, a rare source of rich flavor
– Liang: A superior variety of millet considered the “caviar of grains” in ancient texts

The Han Dynasty saw wheat replace millet as a staple, but “gaoliang” endured as shorthand for extravagant dining—and by extension, those who could afford it.

From Material Luxury to Moral Judgment

By the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), these terms had acquired pejorative connotations. Scholar-officials like Lu Zongdao railed against “wanku子弟” (silk-trousered youths) who leveraged family connections to secure prestigious academic posts despite lacking merit. The Ming-Qing transition amplified this critique, as exemplified by writer Zhang Dai’s self-mocking memoir:

“Youthful days as a wanku子弟—obsessed with fine houses, beautiful maids, exquisite clothes, rare delicacies…”

His nostalgic reflection after the dynasty’s collapse underscored how quickly material privilege could vanish.

Medical and Social Consequences

Traditional Chinese medicine warned that overindulgence in gaoliang foods caused “bone trench wind” (骨槽风), a painful gum disease. Modern science confirms that rich diets historically available only to elites—high in fat and refined carbs—now contribute to widespread metabolic disorders. Ironically, diseases once called “wealth illnesses” have become democratic ailments of modernity.

The Enduring Cultural Legacy

While “wanku gaoliang” remains a cautionary label for idle heirs, its evolution reveals deeper truths:

1. How material culture shapes language (silk trousers → spoiled youth)
2. The cyclical nature of “luxury” (millet as ancient status symbol)
3. Universal tensions between privilege and meritocracy

From Zhou Dynasty silks to Qing Dynasty satires, these terms remind us that societies perpetually grapple with the same question: How should wealth and privilege intersect with responsibility? The answer, as always, lies not in the clothes one wears or the food one eats, but in the choices one makes.