Peking Opera is a comprehensive art form which combines music, singing, speaking, pantomime, acrobatics and martial arts. Regarded as the quintessence of China, it has been one of the cultural treasures in China since ancient times. According to the sex, age, social status, and profession, the roles in the opera are classified into four main types: Sheng, Dan, Jing, and Chou.

Sheng is the main male role in Peking Opera and is composed of Lao Sheng, Xiao Sheng and Wu Sheng. Among them, Lao Sheng, refers to the bearded middle-aged man with a mature character. Xiao Sheng represents a young man without a beard, usually a young scholar or lover role. Wu Sheng is a martial character that appears in battle scenes.

Dan is the female role in Peking Opera and consists of Zheng Dan, Hua Dan, Lao Dan, and Wu Dan. Zheng Dan, also called ‘Qingyi’, refers to the young lady of good quality and character, usually noblewoman. Hua Dan refers to the little girls. Lao Dan refers to the senior woman and Wu Dan is the female with martial skills, equivalent to the Wu Sheng.

Jing, also called “painted face”, is a male role. His voice is loud and clear, and the movements are exaggerated. The different colors on the faces represent different characteristics.

Red face – Loyalty and justice
Black face – Honest and brave
White face – Crafty
Yellow face – Brutal
Blue face – Bold and powerful

Chou, also called “small painted face”, is a male clown role. The role’s eyes and nose are covered with a white patch. And the Chou usually plays secondary role in Peking Opera.

The history of the four main role type can date back to the period of Tang Dynasty (618~907). They four formed their own characteristics during the period of Song and Yuan dynasties (960-1368). Later, these four roles reached their maturity in Qing Dynasty (1636~1911).