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| Peking opera painted faces |
| CCTV.COM 2003-04-21 15:04:11 |
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The Peking opera painted face refers to the unique colorful make－up of an actor in the opera. It is characterized by the use of bright colors to exaggerate or distort his features.
Masks used in the ancient times are considered as the precursors of Peking opera painted faces. As Chinese dramatic art developed, active or impersonated rude or robust characters began to paint their faces instead of wearing masks and thus created the art of facial make－up.
Facial make－up enables audiences to know at a glance from the distance the personality of the character portrayed and to know his social status when near.
Zhou Huabin, professor of Peking opera painted face expert said, “Each and every nation has its own concept of colors and their symbolic meanings. We call this particular concept a preference for color or color cult.The colors used in the facial make－up in Peking opera are many. But the principal colors are red, yellow, blue, white, black, gold, and silver. Each of these colors has its own symbolic meaning. ”
In Peking opera, red is the color of loyalty and bravery, and yellow suggests old age. Blue is the sign of a rebellious character. White symbolizes treachery. Black signifies good vigorous character. Gold and silver are used on faces of deities, spirits and demons.
Zhou Huabin added, “You’ll find that painted faces vary in design if you look at them closely. Their patterns are associated with Chinese culture. Each pattern has its own symbolic meaning. Take Meng Liang, a warrior of the Song Dynasty for example. His face is in the main painted red. On his forhead is the pattern of an inverted gourd. This pattern represents a particular weapon called huohulu he habitually used. With symbolic patterns, a painted face can reveal a character’s status and personality.
Painted faces are creations of generations of dramatic artists based on their life experience. They are stylizing form, color and pattern, and most of them are used by actors playing roles known as “Jing”. Painted faces include several types: three－tile face, six－tenth face, cross face and white－powdered full face symbolizing a treacherous character.
Although painted faces are extremely stylized in form and pattern, no two painted faces are actually alike. Painted faces designed for Xiangyu number more than 100, and they are different from each other.
Painted faces not only are used in facial make－up on the stage, but also have become a popular theme of Chinese folk arts. Paper－cuts is a Chinese folk art, and painted faces cut out of paper look even more beautiful than those used on stage. In recent years, painted faces have developed into an independent art in China.
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