·Characters featuring Peking Opera costumes

A performer's costume primarily designates his or her role on the stage no matter when or where the action takes place. For instance, an imperial robe is suitable to any emperor ranging from the ancients of the Shang Dynasty (16-11th centuryBC) to the royal rulers of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Regardless of the four seasons of the scenery background, the opera costume is always the same. For example, the young scholar Zhang in Romance of the Western Chamber wears the same silk gown both on his February visit to Pujiu (Save-All) Monastery or when he takes leave of his beloved, Cui Yingying, at a farewell party in the fall.

Peking Opera costumes give voice to a character's sex and status at first glance. In terms of symbolic function, they have done well in marking off people from all walks of life, noble or humble, civil or military. For example, the wear of a beggar's gown patched with satin suggests that the character is temporarily poor but expects a bright future.

By means of costumes, the good and the evil are clearly distinguished. For instance, the wings (chizi ) attached to a gauze hat indicate a loyal official if they are in the form of oblong. In contrast, a corrupt officer is made to wear a gauze hat with rhomboidal wings.

Accessories, including helmets and hats, constitute an integral part to bring about dramatic stage effects. For instance, the wings attached to a hat, the plumes (lingzi) pinned to a helmet, and the cascading sleeves (shuixiu ) sewn to a garment, though short of practical function, are acclaimed as the representative of Peking Opera's beauty.

·Categorization of the theoretical costumes

In the early days, opera costumes were mainly made of wool or coarse cloth; later, satin, crepe, and silk were used, decorated with various meticulously embroidered patterns. The making of opera costumes is a special and unique stagecraft. The costume box first appeared in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and was greatly improved in the Qing Dynasty .

Official Robe (guanyi )

Guanyi is also called yuanling (round collar). It is formal wear for civic officials. It features a jade girdle around the waist and an embroidered mandarin square, one each on the chest and the back. Guanyi in black indicates of the lowest official post while the white Guanyi suggests that a certain royal household member has died.

All rights reserved. Reproduction of text for non-commercial purposes is permitted provided that both the source and author are acknowledged and a notifying email is sent to us.