Facial painting is worth appreciating for its artistic value. It might be the most fascinating arts in Peking Opera. Each painted face has a special meaning to represent people’s characters. Facial painting reveals information about a character, as well. Essentially, the unique makeup allows characters on stage to reveal them voicelessly. The hero type characters are normally painted in relatively simple colors, whereas bad guys have more complicated designs on their faces.

Colors to distinguish the Characters:

Red face stands for hero, courage, loyalty and straight forwardness.

Blue face describes people who are cruel or ambitious.

Green face connotes surly stubbornness, impetuosity and lack of self-restraint.

Black face symbolizes people who are impulsiveness and honest.

Reference

White face is always for an evil or sly people.

You also can tell character’s Joviality with their “white nose”.

The makeup highlights and exaggerates the principal features of the characters. It’s the presentation of their personalities.

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