Often referred to as the Mamianqun or literally translated as a "horse-face skirt," this garment's namesake derives not from equine imagery but rather from architectural features. In Chinese, "Ma-mian" or "horse faces" describe the square projections found on city walls, serving as bases for towers or bastions. These projections, due to their elongated square shape, resemble the profile of a horse's face. The Mamian skirt mimics this silhouette with its rolling pleats, folding inward towards the sides, creating a cascading box-like structure with a flat front and back, and a subtle flare at the sides, echoing the incline of Chinese fortifications.