FESRIVALS AND THEATRICAL FORMS OF CHINA

CHINA
A. FESITIVALS
1. SPRING FESTIVAL
The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important
festival of the year for in China. This has been celebrated in China since the Shang
Dynasty over 3000 years ago. According to Chinese legend, the festival began when a
small village used firecrackers and drums to frighten away the monster Nian. The
Spring Festival is a time for family reunions, gift exchanges and fireworks display. Red
is also a popular color during this time because it is said to scare off the monster
Nian.
The Spring Festival is the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year. It is one of the
most important festivals in China. It is the time for a family gathering, visiting
relatives and friends. People eat jiaozi or dumplings shaped like a crescent moon on
that special day. Dragon Dance and Lion Dance are traditionally performed during
spring festivals.
The dragon dance is a traditional dance performed during Chinese New Year. It is the
highlight of the celebration. Dragons symbolize power, strength and good luck. The
dancers mimic the movements of the river spirit in a rise and fall manner. In order to
be ready for the celebration, people get haircuts and makeovers to welcome the New
Year with a brand-new style.
Women wear cheongsams and qipaos while men wear mandarin collared shirts with
Chinese dragon symbols as their costumes. They wear these costumes to maintain the
sanctity of their tradition.
2. DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
It is an old tradition in China usually celebrated in June. The festival now occurs on
the 5th day of the 5th month of the traditional Chinese calendar, which is the source
of the festival's alternative name, the Double Fifth Festival.
THEATRICAL FORMS
1. PEKING OPREA
Peking Opera/Beijing Opera is known for China’s Traditional theater art form which
combines music, vocal performance, pantomime, dance and acrobatics. It arose in the
late 18th century and became fully developed and recognized by the mid-19th century.
Visual Performance Elements Peking Opera performers utilize four main skills such as
the following: song, speech, dance-acting and combat. The following colors used in
masks/makeup in Peking Opera:
● Red – devotion, courage, bravery, uprightness and loyalty
● Black – roughness and fierceness
● Yellow – fierceness, ambition, and cool-headedness
● Purple – uprightness, sophistication and cool-headedness
● Reddish purple – just and noble character
● Blue – loyalty, fierceness and sharpness
● White – dangerous, suspiciousness, and craftiness. Commonly seen on the stage is
the white face for the powerful villain.
● Green – impulsive and violent and stubbornness