The characters of Beijing Opera are distinguished by their makeup. Their make up and costumes help us to know their gender, age and disposition. They are known as Sheng-scholars and officials Sheng-scholars and officials Dan - females Dan - females Jing - the characters with the make-up Jing - the characters with the make-up Chou – clowns (foolish, awkward, stingy) Chou – clowns (foolish, awkward, stingy)

Sheng Roles Lao Sheng (old) Lao Sheng (old) Xiao Sheng (young) Xiao Sheng (young) Wu Sheng (Kung Fu) Wu Sheng (Kung Fu)

Female Roles Female roles are called Dan 1. Laodan, the elderly and dignified woman; 2. Qingyi, aristocratic lady in elegant costumes; 3. Daomadan, horsewoman and warriors 4. Choudan, the wife of the role of Chou, and sometimes sneaky and dangerous woman. The interesting thing is that the role of Dan used to be performed by male actors.

Dan Make Up

Elaborate Stage Make up is usually used for Jing Role Jing Role Chou Role Chou Role

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

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

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

Blue symbolizes valor, stubbornness and reckless boldness

Green symbolizes bravery, brutality, and tyranny

Yellow symbolizes brutality and treacherousness

White could symbolize many things. It could mean that you are old or a buddhist monk. It could mean that you are crafty and cruel. Often times eunuchs were painted white to show that they had a feminine personality which was supposed to be treacherous