Painted Faces: An Analysis of the Facial Mask of the Beijing Opera
Outline:
I. Introduction.
II.The Origin of the Face Mask in the Beijing opera A.Masks based on ancient the “totem” style are used in early Chinese opera houses.
1.The mask transforms into facial paint in the Song and Yuan Dynasties 2.Mask then becomes a “facial costume” that is used in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
III.The Meaning of the Beijing Opera Mask A.Designs are based on totem patterns utilizing painted make-up. 1.Masks can depict a wide variety moods: happiness, anger, fear, etc. B.The colors used in the mask have symbolic meaning, such as courage (red), fierceness (black), etc. C.Facial make-up symbolizes a painting of the heart and the soul of the character.
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Traditionally, Chinese face masks were used in folk art performances before the Song Dynasty, which eventually transform into a facial paint masks in the Song and Yuan Dynasties. During the Qing Dynasty the arrival of European culture and the opera provided a way to merge Chinese and European culture in the use of painted folk art facial masks. The meaning of the mask focuses on the heart and soul of the mythological or fictional character being represented on the stage. In this manner, the design and color of the mask imbues a powerful sense of emotive and symbolic meaning for the audience to observe in the actions of the performers. Certainly, the “heart and soul” of painted facial mask defines the foundation of Chinese folk art culture to project a profound sense of drama in the Beijing Opera medium. In essence, these are the important aspects of the meaning of the Beijing Opera painted facial mask, which define the powerful emotive and cultural transmission of folk art into the modern setting of the European-styled
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