History of mask development in China

First, Nuo mask-mobilize the gods to ward off evil spirits and attract wealth, in order to live a rich life, make the country prosperous and the people safe. Nuo masks appeared in Nuo instruments of Shang and Zhou dynasties 3,000 years ago, such as bronze masks and the "golden four-eye mask" of Fang Xiangxiong totem. They are the oldest and most primitive masks for exorcising ghosts and curing diseases in China, showing primitive beauty, ferocious beauty, wild beauty and special mystery, and have high historical and cultural value.

Second, the sacrificial mask-pray for the gift of the gods and bless the people's happiness and well-being.

Third, the mask of the town-the mask hanging on the pillars of the temple and the lintel of the house is called swallowing, which means swallowing the devil in one gulp.

4. Funeral masks-gold-faced chrysanthemums, jade-gold masks, jade-tiger masks embedded in tomb walls and coffin walls, etc.

Five, drama masks, dance masks, entertainment masks, craft masks-such as Nuo opera, Nuo dance, Tibetan opera, opera and other artistic masks, children's games big head doll masks.

origin

Humans have been wearing masks for thousands of years. The earliest masks may have originated from hunting activities. In order to get close to their prey, hunters dress themselves up as various animals with masks. In folk activities around the world,

People often use masks to dress themselves up as ghosts and all kinds of strange birds and beasts to show their worship of natural forces or conquer them in imagination. In some folk opera performances, masks are still the main means of makeup. For example, local operas in Guizhou.