Beijing Opera Appreciation and Facial Mask Making

In this facial mask making, we learnt the different types of masks, the meaning of each colour and also had an opportunity to create our own masks.

There are four different types:

• Sheng (生)
• Dan (旦)
• Jing (净)
• Chou (丑)

Each colour in the Beijing opera has different meaning.

• The colour red in an opera is understood to symbolise positive traits such as intelligence, heroism, integrity and loyalty.
• A black face represents characteristics like impartiality with a hint of altruism.
• Yellow portrays characteristics like treachery, ferociousness.
• Green shows that the character is violent and impulsive.
• White indicates that the character is evil and hypocritical.
• Blue shows stubbornness.

After learning these interesting facts,we started painting. First, we drew an outline using a pencil. Then started painting the mask with acrylic paint.

Below are some pictures of the equipments we used and the final paintings.