How were the Chinese Opera Masks invented?

Answer 1

Chinese Opera masks are used mainly in two known methods, either as painted on face or are worn as decorated ceramics or as think cloth. The inception of customary facial makeup began essentially from totems that were created centuries before. It was during the Song dynasty [960 to 1279] that substantial representations of painted faces were revealed in the tomb murals. Later this evolved into something more artistic, creative, and innovative. The main colour in a facial makeup symbolizes the disposition of the character. Gold and silver colours are usually used for gods and spirits. Red indicates devotion, courage bravery, uprightness and loyalty. Black symbolizes roughness and fierceness. The black face indicates either a rough and bold character or an impartial and selfless personality. Yellow signifies fierceness, ambition and cool-headedness. Purple stands for uprightness, sophistication and cool-headedness. The reddish purple face likewise shows a just and noble character. Blue represents staunchness, fierceness and astuteness. White suggests sinisterness, treacherousness, suspiciousness and craftiness. A green face tells the audience that the character is impulsive and violent and depicts surly stubbornness, impetuosity and a total lack of self-restraint. For the clowns of traditional drama, there is a special makeup called xiaohualian (the petty painted face), i.e., a small patch of chalk on and around the nose to show a mean and secretive character.