Chinese opera masks and facial paintings

2009-06-19 17:17 BJT

China’s prevalently known form of musical theater and drama. The Chinese opera has gained fascination by various people worldwide. It is a grand performance casted by several performers in vibrantly colored costumes moving along a swift and dramatic music. Most noticeably though, are performers or actors wearing masks—Chinese opera masks—which are frequently changed throughout the entire performance.

Specifically, 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. Consequently, the facial makeup eventually became known as facial paintings.