Beijing Opera, also known as Peking Opera, is a form of traditional Chinese theater that combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance and acrobatics. The painted masks worn by performers are one of the most distinctive features of Beijing Opera. The masks symbolize the characters and their roles in the performance. There are a wide variety of masks used in Beijing Opera, each with its own specific meaning and purpose.
History of Masks in Beijing Opera
The use of masks in Chinese opera dates back to the Sui and Tang Dynasties between 581-907 AD when short plays and vaudeville acts gained popularity. During the Yuan Dynasty in the 13th and 14th centuries, singers would paint facial makeup patterns on themselves to represent different characters. Eventually, colored masks carved from wood or leather were created to represent standard character types.
Over the centuries, the masks evolved from single colored masks to more intricate, multi-colored masks with elaborate designs. By the time Beijing Opera fully developed in the mid-Qing Dynasty in the 18th century, the mask conventions we see today were more or less fixed. The masks allow the audience to instantly recognize the identity, gender, age, and morality of the characters.
Significance of Common Mask Types
There are over 1000 different Beijing Opera masks, but they generally fall within one of four broad character types:
Sheng – Male Roles
Sheng masks represent male characters. They are divided into sub-categories:
– Laosheng – Senior male characters with black beards. They convey wisdom and authority.
– Xiaosheng – Young man characters who wear elaborate hair and headdresses. They represent handsomeness and sophistication.
– Wusheng – Martial warriors with red, black or silver masks. They depict courage and loyalty.
Dan – Female Roles
Dan represent virtuous female characters. Key types include:
– Laodan – Noble, poised middle-aged or elderly women.
– Qingyi – Gentle, refined women who wear light makeup.
– Huadan – Flirtatious young women who wear lots of makeup.
Jing – Painted Face Roles
Jing masks feature vividly colored patterns and symbols on the face. They represent:
– Chou – Clowns or jesters who wear red makeup.
– Jiazi – Tough, aggressive warriors marked by black and white paint.
Mo – Demons and Animals
Mo masks portray supernatural creatures, ghosts, animals or abstract symbols. Examples are:
– Damo – Painted demon masks depicting greed and violence.
– Maomo – Realistic animal masks like tigers and monkeys.
Mask Colors and Meanings
The dominant colors used on Beijing Opera masks represent the nature of the characters:
| Red | Upright, loyal, courageous |
| Black | Fierce, mysterious, dangerous |
| White | Sinister, crafty, treacherous |
| Yellow | Ambitious, fierce, cunning |
| Blue | Steadfast, resolute, righteous |
| Green | Resentful, impulsive, unconventional |
Common Mask Patterns and Designs
The patterns and motifs painted on the masks also have significance. Here are some examples:
Plum blossoms – Represent beauty, elegance and perseverance during adversity. Often worn by Dan characters.
Orchids – Symbolize purity, integrity and humility. Used for morally upright characters.
Bats – Depict luck and blessings. Show a character has good fortune.
Butterflies – Indicate transformation and metamorphosis. Worn during important turning points.
Snakes and dragons – Signify power and strength. Used on masks for emperors or warriors.
Demons – Characterize evil, cruelty and chaos. Found on the masks of villains.
Masks for Stock Characters
There are also standard mask types that represent classic stock characters in Beijing opera:
Bao Gong – An upright and wise judge, denoted by his black face makeup and thin moustache.
Cao Cao – A cruel but capable warlord, signified by his white mask with intricate black patterns.
Guanyin – The goddess of mercy, recognized by her white mask and headdress.
Sun Wukong – The Monkey King known for his red mask with round eyes and golden headband.
Xiao Longnu – A female warrior represented by a red mask with phoenix crown.
Mask Making Process
Beijing Opera masks are intricate works of art carefully crafted by skilled artisans. The traditional mask making process involves several steps:
1. Molds are made from clay or plaster based on stock character templates.
2. Strips of paper soaked in paste are layered over the molds to form the base shape.
3. Features are carved and refined after the masks dry. Holes are cut for eyes and nostrils.
4. Multiple layers of paint are applied to create the desired facial patterns.
5. Masks are sealed with varnish for protection and mildly scented.
6. Ornaments, beards or feathers are attached as finishing touches.
Each mask can take weeks to fully complete. The annual Taiping Qingnian Hui festival highlights this painstaking craftsmanship.
How Actors Use the Masks
Beijing Opera actors rely extensively on the masks to convey emotions and personalities. Here are some key techniques:
– Angling the mask to show different moods and reactions. Looking downward can denote sadness for example.
– Moving the mask closer or farther from the face to express intimate or loud passages.
– Using small head movements and exaggerated gestures to animate the fixed mask expressions.
– Coordinating the mask persona with appropriate costumes, makeup, dialogue and props.
A single character may use several different masks over the course of a performance as the story progresses. The masks thus become like a second face that complements the actor underneath.
Evolution of Mask Use
Originally, Beijing Opera performers wore masks for all shows. But mask usage has evolved over time:
– Full masks were replaced with half-masks only covering the upper face. This improved vocal projection.
– Unmasked performances became more common to showcase the actors’ expressions.
– Intricate face makeup is now often used instead of masks, especially for female Dan roles.
– Masks are still worn for stock characters, supernatural beings and to adjust age portrayals.
– Simplified stylized masks may be used to retain some symbolic conventions.
– Some troupes only use replica masks as costumes but do not cover the face during acting.
So while masks are not always physically worn today, their legacy remains through makeup and representation of traditional Chinese opera personalities.
Significance of Masks in Beijing Opera
The masks of Beijing Opera hold much cultural and historical significance:
– They encapsulate centuries of imperial Chinese theater tradition since the days of emperors and nobles.
– The mask artform represents a pinnacle of Chinese craftsmanship and artistry.
– Each mask type acts as a archetype that the audience instantly connects with.
– The symbolism and conventions convey Confucian ideals and societal values.
– Masks allow quick transitions between characters, ages, genders and moods on stage.
– They create an otherworldly, fantastical theatrical experience.
– The masks form an integral part of Chinese cultural heritage and national identity.
As one of the last living art forms to utilize dramatic masks on stage, Beijing Opera is a rare treat for audiences to admire this cultural legacy in action. The masks distill the essence of Chinese opera into tangible artifacts.
Conclusion
The intricate masks of Beijing Opera reflect centuries of Chinese culture, tradition and artistic excellence. Whether carved from wood or made of layered paper, each mask type has a specific symbolic significance based on its color, design and personality. The masks instantly establish key information about the characters for the audience. Actors rely on the exaggerated expressions of the masks to convey emotions and reactions. Although unmasked performances have become more popular, the masks remain an iconic representation of Chinese opera worldwide. The hypnotic masks transform the stage into a mystical world where anything is possible under the lights of an electrifying Beijing Opera performance.
