Tibetan Opera Mask

Brief Introduction of Tibetan Opera Mask

The masks mainly used in folk shows. To compare with religion mask, Tibetan opera mask with more secularization shape and folk color. The subjects of mask mainly include history stories, figures, gods and animals in myth. Different color represents different character. For example, the red represents king, light red represents chancellor, yellow represents living Buddha, blue represents justice and brave, half black and half white represents double-dealing. When the Tibetan opera played, make-up is simple. Except the mask, there is pollen and rouge, without complex facial type. You can figure out the character of role from the shape and color of mask.

There are two types of facial make-up in Tibetan opera, one is drawing the facial type on the face, and the other is with mask. Mask in Tibetan language is "Ba" which is a unique facial make-up way in Tibetan opera art. In Tu Bo period,  the folk dance and animal imitation Dance which were showed in Bon Religion ceremony used the mask make-up way. Later, as the development of religion, hierarch Padmasambhava organized dance for the god ceremony base on the work of Sakyamuni about vajra dance.

So, folk dance combined with vajra dance and created the mask which was dressed when they dance. In 14th century, the hierarch Tandong Jiebu raised fund to build road and bridge, and created Tibetan opera which won great favor of Tibetans. The actors of Tibetan opera think he is the primogenitor of Tibetan opera and made the white hair and white beard white goat leather mask based on his face. The Tibetan opera mask made the ancient Tibetan mask art come out of the mysterious religion world into a more wide art world.

Tibetan opera mask can be divided into Bawen mask, figure mask and animal mask.

The Color of Tibetan Opera Mask and Character of Role

White Mask

White mask represents the character of role is pure, kind hearted and moderate, means old people will live long.

In Peking Opera, white facial type means the character of the role is treacherousness and skeptical. The representative figure is Cao Cao.

Yellow Mask

Yellow mask indicate the face glowing with health, good quality and generalism. It is dressed by Living Buddha.

In Peking Opera, yellow facial type stands for strong character. The representative figure is Dian Wei.

Blue Mask

Blue mask stands for justice, brave, which is warrior mask.

In Peking Opera, blue mask means the character is rigidity and subordinate. The representative figure is Dou Erdun

Green Mask

Green mask symbolize virtuous, wisdom, beautiful and elegance. It is the mask of goddess.

In Peking Opera, green facial type represents character of valor and obtrusion. Commonly it is used to show brigand.

Red Mask

Red mask symbolize rights, justice; represents wise, resourceful, brave and intelligent. All the people play king and chancellor dress red mask. Sometimes, in Tibetan opera, some man who is angry in the dance for god usually use red mask.

In Peking Opera, red facial type symbolizes loyalty. The representative figure is Guan Yu.

Black Mask

Black mask represents character is fierce; it's angry face.

In Peking Opera, black facial type stands for just and fair. The representative figure is Bao Zheng.

Half White and Half Black Mask

Half White and Half Black Mask represent the role with sweet jaws and vicious heart, these people enjoys setting people at loggerheads.