Character Symbol: Chinese Opera Mask

Author: Luan Guanhua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Opera face paintings, as a symbol, use stylized makeup patterns, vivid colors, and exaggerated designs to portray the characteristics and moral qualities of characters. Within the face paintings, there is a sense of praise or criticism: the dignified and upright appearance of just, loyal, and filial individuals, as well as the fierce and ugly forms of treacherous and evil ones, are all revealed through the processes of kneading, outlining, smudging, and breaking. Face paintings incorporate the strengths of other art forms, forming a representative artistic style of ancient Chinese opera. "Powder and ink in blue and red, crisscrossing the face," convey the spiritual essence of an ancient civilization.