Learn Chinese from colors of Peking Opera Facial Makeup

Have you ever watched Peking Opera? When you enjoy it, do you notice the Peking Opera Facial Makeup (脸谱, liǎn pǔ) of different colors? What are the connotations of different colors?

你看过京剧吗？在看京剧的时候，你有注意到不同颜色的脸谱吗？京剧脸谱的颜色各代表什么含义？

Red (红色, hóng sè): Generally red is used to indicate righteousness, loyalty and courage, mostly referring to positive roles. In fact, the red "脸谱" (liǎn pǔ) was originally used to show the character's skin color. As many roles with red color skin are very gallant and upright, red is used to stand for loyalty and courage, and red "脸谱" (liǎn pǔ) is designed for the gallant and excellent generals.

红色：红色一般用来表示耿直、忠义，有血性，多表现正面角色。其实，红色脸谱最初只是为了表明人物的肤色，而很多肤色红的角色都非常忠勇、正直，因此后来就开始用红色表忠勇，并为忠勇良将勾画红色脸谱。

Green (绿色, lǜ sè): The green "脸谱" (liǎn pǔ) is generally used in the brave, reckless and fiery characters, meaning similar to a black one. In addition, the green "脸谱" (liǎn pǔ) is also seen in some bandit roles.

绿色：绿色脸谱一般用来表示勇猛、莽撞、暴躁的人物，与黑色脸谱有相近的用意。此外，有些草寇类人物也勾画绿色脸谱。

Blue (蓝色, lán sè): In Peking Opera "脸谱" (liǎn pǔ), the blue and green have the similar meaning, presenting us the tough and straightforward characters, though sinister and cunning figures sometimes.

蓝色：在京剧脸谱中，蓝色与绿色的含义相近，表示人物性格刚强、豪爽，有时候也表示人物的阴险、狡猾。

Black (黑色, hēi sè): Black was also originally used to represent skin color. Due to the highly-praised impartial image of Bao Zheng, who was black skinned, black has been developed into the symbol of a certain personality. The black "脸谱" (liǎn pǔ) is generally used in the upright and selfless, straightforward and courageous characters.

黑色：黑色最初也是用来表示人物肤色的。随着包拯的公正形象备受推崇，而且他的皮肤是黑色的，于是黑色就符号化为一种性格的表征。黑色脸谱一般用于正直无私，以及性格直爽而勇猛的人物。

White (白色, bái sè): White "脸谱" (liǎn pǔ) is often used to stand for the treacherous villains in Peking Opera, such as Cao Cao with the pinkish white facial makeup in the play of Three Kingdoms, indicating his being cunning and suspicious character. In addition, the hale and hearty old heroes, generals, monks, eunuchs and other roles can also be painted with white "脸谱" (liǎn pǔ).

白色：京剧中常常用白色脸谱来表现奸邪的反面角色，如三国戏中的曹操画粉白脸，表明其奸诈多疑。此外，鹤发童颜的老英雄、将官以及和尚、太监等角色也可以画白色脸谱。

Yellow (黄色, huáng sè): In Peking Opera, yellow indicates the characters' bravery or brutality, therefore, yellow "脸谱" (liǎn pǔ) is generally used in the bold and irritable characters.

黄色：在京剧脸谱中，用黄色寓意人物骁勇或凶暴残忍，所以黄色脸谱一般用于勇猛而暴躁的人物。

Purple (紫色, zǐ sè): Purple is the demitint between red and black, generally referring to uprightness, majesty and sense of justice. Some characters in novels or plays are described as purple-faced, so they are given with purple "脸谱" (liǎn pǔ). Sometimes, a purple "脸谱" (liǎn pǔ) is also used in some characters to show their ugly appearance.

紫色：紫色是红色和黑色的中间色，一般表示刚正威严，富有正义感。有的人物在小说、戏剧中描写为紫色脸膛，所以就给他们画紫色脸谱，也有的人物勾画紫脸是为了表示他的相貌丑陋。

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