Masks of China

            China is home to a variety of special objects relating to their culture. Masks are a diverse use in China. They range from something major such as a festival to something minor such as storytelling.

            The monkey mask, for example, is an authentic folk art item that was used in storytelling. When telling this famous folk tale, “Pig and Monkey”, the villagers will use this special rare mask to make the scene more realistic and magical.

            Masks used in Chinese operas are very popular. One wouldn’t believe that there would be colors associated with the character the actor plays. A gold and silver color of masks is meant for gods and spirits.  A face mask would also be painted on an actor’s face instead of wearing it. In fact, most operas use advance face painting as masks for the actors. Drawing masks on faces requires much skills and proportional sense. One will first clean the face with base powder. Next, one applies the eyes and then paints colors of chalk on the face. After that, the indescribable detailing takes place along with a unique finish. The way of face masks expresses the feelings of actors much more than regular masks.

            During the Chinese New Year celebrations, masks make up much of the dances. For a Lion dance, a huge mask is worn. Although it appears seemingly large, it is actually very light in weight. The people participating in the Lion dance would put on this mask and holds it with their two hands on both sides of it. Sometimes, a person would hold it with one hand and use the other one to pull on the string inside the mask that will open the lion’s mouth in an amusing way. The mask holders do this in order to receive their Chinese New Year money. They also do this in order to put on an act of eating the cabbage that hangs from high places such as over the roof of a building. There is usually “clowns” that follow these lions. These “clowns” have a pillow they stuff under their yellow outfit to make the belly seem bigger. If a belly is bigger, the luckier a person is. These “clowns” wave a fan around and have on a medium-sized mask over their head which they hold with one hand. They tease the children and lions in a fun way.