The Attraction of Chinese Operas
2 min readStyles of Facial Make-up
What appeals to foreigners most might be the different styles of facial make-up，which is one of the highlights of Chinese opera and requires distinctive techniques of painting.Exaggerated designs are painted on each performers face to symbolize a characters personality，role，and fate.This technique may have originated from ancient religions and dance. Audiences who are familiar with opera can know the story by observing the facial painting as well as the costumes.Generally，a red face represents loyalty and bravery；a black face，valor；yellow and white faces，duplicity；and golden and silver faces，mystery.
Besides color，lines also function as symbols.For example，a figure can be painted either all white on his face，or just around the nose.The larger the white area painted，the more viperous the role.
The Attraction of Chinese Operas
Of all the theatres in the world，the Chinese audiences enjoy the most freedom.They can play the operas as amateurs；and they can give whatever comments.They share the dreams of the dramas.“The world is a big stage；the stage is a small world.”Although the traditional Chinese dra-
mas have passed their prime period，many Chinese still attach their interest to them，on account of their elegance and sentimentality as well as on account of the optimism and leisurely entertainment they provide.
The Setting of Chinese Opera
Originally，Chinese opera was performed before a simple backdrop，with the other three stage sides remaining open and empty.The seting it-self was also extremely simple；but over centuries，actors or actresses have developed a set of sophisticated stylized stage symbolism.This includes a table，which might stand for an official’s table，a hill or a bridge.The action is based on illusion.Gestures，footwork and other body movementsexpress actions such as riding a horse，rowing a boat，opening a door，going upstairs，climbing a hill or traveling.In a word，each action of a performer is highly symbolic.
