The black face indicates either a rough and bold character or an impartial and selfless personality. Zhang Fei Black Color Black symbolizes roughness and fierceness.

Hou Yi Purple Color Purple stands for uprightness, sophistication and cool-headedness).The reddish purple face likewise shows a just and noble character, for instance, Hou Yi with a purple three-tile face was a grain offficer versed in black magic in the opera “Green Dragon Pass.” Zheng Wun with a green pointed three-tile face plays a general in the opera “Green Dragon.” Zheng Wun Green Color 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. Shown is Xiahou Dun with a blue pointed three-tile face, Cao Cao's most trusted general in the opera “BowangSlope.” Xia HoudunBlue ColorBlue represents staunchness, fierceness and astuteness. Shown is TuXingsunwith a yellow symbolic face, a dwarf general with special powers in the opera 'Three Mountain Pass.' TuXingsunYellow Color Yellow signifies fierceness, ambition and cool-headedness. A typical 'red full face' is Guan Yu, general of the period of the Three Kingdoms (220-280), famed for his faithfulness to his Emperor, Liu Bei Guan Yu Red MaskRed indicates devotion, courage bravery, uprightness and loyalty. Beijing Opera Masks Stories Behind Every FaceĪctors Applying Beijing Opera Masks The art of Chinese opera mask painting is a very specialized art.

Chinese opera masks history