The characters of Beijing Opera are The characters of Beijing Opera are distinguished by their makeup. Their distinguished by their makeup. Their

make up and costumes help us to know make up and costumes help us to know their gender, age and disposition.their gender, age and disposition.

They are known as They are known as Sheng-scholars and officialsSheng-scholars and officials Dan - femalesDan - females Jing - the characters with the make-Jing - the characters with the make-

upup Chou – clowns (foolish, awkward, Chou – clowns (foolish, awkward,

stingy)stingy)

Sheng RolesSheng Roles

Lao Sheng (old)Lao Sheng (old)

Xiao Sheng (young)Xiao Sheng (young) Wu Sheng (Kung Fu)Wu Sheng (Kung Fu)

Female RolesFemale Roles

Female roles are called Dan Female roles are called Dan

1.1. Laodan, the elderly and dignified woman; Laodan, the elderly and dignified woman;

2.2. Qingyi, aristocratic lady in elegant costumes; Qingyi, aristocratic lady in elegant costumes;

3.3. Daomadan, horsewoman and warriorsDaomadan, horsewoman and warriors

4.4. Choudan, the wife of the role of Chou, and Choudan, the wife of the role of Chou, and sometimes sneaky and dangerous woman. sometimes sneaky and dangerous woman.

The interesting thing is that the role of Dan The interesting thing is that the role of Dan used to be performed by male actors. used to be performed by male actors.

Dan Make UpDan Make Up

Elaborate Stage Make up is Elaborate Stage Make up is usually used forusually used for

Jing RoleJing Role

Chou RoleChou Role

The purple colour symbolizes The purple colour symbolizes loyalty, honest and sincere, loyalty, honest and sincere,

and uprightnessand uprightness

Red, when used as a chief Red, when used as a chief colour, symbolizes loyalty, colour, symbolizes loyalty, faithfulness and couragefaithfulness and courage

Black, when used as a chief colour Black, when used as a chief colour symbolizes firmness, honesty, symbolizes firmness, honesty,

reckless boldnessreckless boldness

Blue symbolizes valor, Blue symbolizes valor, stubbornness and reckless stubbornness and reckless

boldnessboldness

Green symbolizes bravery, Green symbolizes bravery, brutality, and tyranny brutality, and tyranny

Yellow symbolizes brutality and Yellow symbolizes brutality and treacherousnesstreacherousness

White could symbolize many things. It could mean White could symbolize many things. It could mean that you are old or a buddhist monk. It could mean that you are old or a buddhist monk. It could mean that you are crafty and cruel. Often times eunuchs that you are crafty and cruel. Often times eunuchs

were painted white to show that they had a feminine were painted white to show that they had a feminine personality which was supposed to be treacherouspersonality which was supposed to be treacherous