Semiotics in Beijing Opera Face Painting

Christine LuUniversity of Toronto at Mississauga

中國傳統宗教與國劇藝術

Introduction

Beijing OperaFacial painting and the roleA reflection of the major traditional philosophies

TaoismConfucianismBuddhism

Taoism

Lao Zi and Dao De JingNatureYin YangThe concept of five elements

Metal, wood, water, fire and earth

Blood circulation and Chi

Confucianism

Kung Fu Tzu (Confucius) 551 BCEFour Books and Five ClassicsEthical Teachings

Buddhism

Siddhartha (Buddha) 563 BCEFour Noble TruthsEightfold PathFive PreceptsThe Three Jewels

Transmigration of the SoulWestern Paradise

Beijing Opera Performance

HistoryShang Dynasty B.C. 1766Folk activityTang Dynasty A.D. 705

Strict Format

Signification of Faces

ColorFacial ShapeEyebrowEyesForeheadNoseMouth

Semiotics of Chinese Theater

You-Zheng Li “Epistemological Problems of the Comparative Humanities”

David Birch “Re-orienting semiotics: performance, philosophy and theory”

Semiotics of Coherence and Harmony

What this means

A mixed influence of Chinese traditional philosophiesPhilosophies reflected on faces, and not only facesA highly aesthetic performance of Harmony