Li Kui 36 Types of Beijing Opera Masks - 12

Li Kui - Black Broken-Flower Face

Broken-Flower Face

This makeup evolved from the flowered three-tile face. The principal color is on the forehead. Various designs in other colors are added to other parts of the face. These designs vary in shape and composition are executed with small, intricate, and broken lines. The face may be clean shaven, or it may wear a bar-shaped mustache or a black or red zha beard. It usually represents a greenwood outlaw or a rough and uncouth warrior, who may be a positive or a negative character.

Li Kui's makeup in the opera "The Black Whirlwind" is a black broken-flower face. The nose pit is pointed in full to indicate that the man is square as well as brave.

⇦ Back to Face 11    Return to Mask Types Page 1    On to Face 13 ⇨

Return to Chinese Opera Choices