Traditional Chinese opera hand puppets

Marionette puppets of characters from the Peking Opera in elaborate embroidered silk robes. Part of the Children's Literature Research Collection.

Also known as Peking or Beijing Opera, traditional Chinese opera uses elaborate costumes and make-up, music, gongs, acrobatics, fire-breathing, song and dance. The different styles of facial make-up require distinctive techniques of painting. The exaggerated facial designs symbolize a character's personality, role, and fate. Generally, a red face represents loyalty and bravery; a black face, valour; yellow and white faces, duplicity; and golden and silver faces, mystery

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