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Symbolism of Chinese Opera Masks
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The Chinese opera is one of the oldest known dramatic art forms worldwide. At a certain period, this internationally renowned as China’s form of musical theater and drama has been encouraged by then court emperors and officials, and thus has become a customary art form. Historically, there can be various regional spin-offs of opera with distinctive dynastic periods as its initial root.
Moreover, since its inception, Chinese opera has continued to evolve throughout the dynasties that went by. Chinese opera essentially began from folk songs, talking, dancing, antimasque, and uniquely dialectical music in particular. Eventually, the performance has become a grand combination of music, literature, and art; and accompanied by conventional musical instruments, such as gong, flute, and Erhu.
However, it is evident that most audience or spectators are more fascinated with the Opera masks normally used in every opera performance. There may be those who perceive these masks as mere props or effects to enhance the show. However, truth is that these masks are more than seemingly as added decorations. Chinese opera masks are significant in a way that they represent the performers’ or characters’ personalities, intense moods, and status quo even.
Expressive meanings through facial designs
Chinese opera mask is basically among the main methods, which performers use as makeup. Since opera masks are used in representing various human emotions, the frequent on-stage change of facial expressions therefore makes the opera masks an ideal technique. Audiences may hardly even notice this “changing faces” technique.
There are four known categories of opera facial painting. These are:
• personality makeup – refers to facial designs or painted faces (Lian Pu),
• decorative makeup – means decorated faces,
• mood makeup – refers to altering facial designs, and
• pictographic makeup – refers to animal-like facial designs or decorations.
Specifically, personality makeup (Lian Pu) is initially derived from an individual’s everyday life encounters or experiences characterized by changes of expressions. These facial expressions include while for fear, dark for suntan, sallow for illness, and red for shyness.
Furthermore, different colors are also used to symbolize various characters that play in the opera, which are:
• purple – symbolizes candor, loyalty, and uprightness;
• red – symbolizes faithfulness, courage, and loyalty;
• black – symbolizes honesty and firmness, or perhaps temerity;
• blue - symbolizes stubbornness, valor, and intractability; and
• green - symbolizes brutality, despotism, and bravery, likewise irascibility and vehemence;
• yellow - symbolizes insidiousness and brutality; and
• white - may have various meanings such old or white-haired individual, or perhaps a cruel, crafty, or headstrong individual with authority.
• silver and gold - symbolize spirits, such as gods, spirits, ghosts, and demons.
Generally, opera masks are made up of ceramic material. And while in blank face, the performer or perhaps a makeup artist can design or decorate the face with detailed and decorative artwork defining and enhancing more the character and thus establishes the role. While there are masks made of simple materials such as paper and tissue, there are also those of which base are made of silk.
Opera masks make it possible for a single performer or actor to cover various roles or characters in one show. This means that a performer can change faces several times as required. Use of masks actually makes changing faces feasible, easier, and manageable even by a sole performer.
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