Meaning of "Water Sleeve

The part of the traditional opera costume adorned with the ends of the sleeves of the python, cape, open cape, and pleats, made of white silk. It is so called because it resembles the ripples of flowing water when it is flung.

Xu Chi, "Peony," 3: "When Wei Zi drank her first glass of wine behind the goose feather fan and wiped her reddish-red lips with the water sleeve, the actor's form was completely stabilized." Jiang Miaoxiang, "Chasing After the Past": "Lanfang's movements on stage were graceful, and her use of the water sleeve was free, sharp and good-looking."