Masks have long been played an integral role in traditional Chinese Opera acts. The multi-faceted metaphorical layers of each mask move beyond simple explanations of behaviour – they possess subtle hints as to the personal situations of the characters themselves. Shapes, colours and lines follow long-established structural frameworks, each symbolic of the conventional roles of the Loyal, Devious, Good, and Evil.
Through the act of creating these handicrafts, students gain deeper insights into the nature of Chinese Masks.