Facial makeup is a special pattern formed by using various colors to outline the performers face in traditional opera. In addition to expressing personality, a facial makeup also hints at various situations of the character. Jing, Chou are the main characters who use facial makeup to express characteristics. Some Sheng, Dan characters also use facial makeup. Facial makeup is used to express the faces and personality characteristics of the characters in the play to enrich the colors of the stage art and enhance the performance effect. Facial makeup is an artistic creation, as well as an inherent part of the overall stage art. Facial makeup evolves with the formation of the play. Most of the various characters have their own specific shapes and colors. Facial makeup can accentuate the character’s personality traits.

The creation of facial makeup has a long history. Facial makeup originated from masks. Facial makeup involves drawing graphics directly on the face, while masks are to draw or cast the graphics on other materials and then wear them on the face. Various colors of facial makeup also have different meanings and uses. For example:

Red facial makeup	White facial makeup	Black facial makeup	Yellow facial makeup
Blue facial makeup	Purple facial makeup	Golden and silver facial makeup	Green facial makeup

• red facial makeup: It symbolizes loyalty and uprightness, such as Guan Yu in “Three Kingdoms Opera.”
• white facial makeup: It expresses cunning and suspicion and represents ruthlessness and deceit, such as Cao Cao in “Three Kingdoms Opera.”
• black facial makeup: It expresses a serious character that is unsmiling, neutral and represents resourcefulness, such as Bao Zheng in “Bao Gong Opera.” It also symbolizes power, rudeness and boldness, such as: Zhang Fei in “Three Kingdoms Opera.”
• yellow facial makeup: It symbolizes bravery and violence, such as Dian Wei.
• blue facial makeup: It expresses a strong and unruly character, such as Er-Dun Dou in the Lian Huan Tao.
• purple facial makeup: Serious and calm personality traits, represented by Yang Yen-Chao.
• golden and silver facial makeup: The ability to disguise into various gods and monsters, represented by Sun Wu-Kong.
• green facial makeup: An impulsive and reckless personal trait, represented by Hsu Shih-Ying.

Moreover, when the “exaggerated facial makeup” and the “handsome facial makeup” appear at the same time, they form a sharp contrast, which highlights the handsome appearance of Sheng and Dan and the abnormal appearance of Jing and Chou.

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