Judging by Appearances

Apparel and accessories are important components of shadow plays. Besides providing a splash of color, a character's apparel and accessories help the audience to understand their demeanor and social status.

The technique of separating the head from its headgear is an important feature in northern Sichuan shadow puppetry, and headgear makes up a large proportion of the elements used to perform it.The same face can instantly take on a different role when matched with new headgear.

The headgear can be a crown, hat, helmet, or bandanna, and it is one of the most important ways of distinguishing the character's official status and identity.

Queen Mother

In ancient China, dragons and phoenixes were the status symbols of the imperial family and ordinary people could not use them. The phoenix engraving on the queen mother’s headgear means that she is the highest-ranking female member of the ruling family.

Profligate Youngster

Profligate youngsters are the children of influential officials and rich landowners. They often spend their days eating and drinking, playing, and having fun. Their headgear is often painted in lavish colors and adorned with ribbons.

Rich Youngster

Characters who wear this type of headgear are usually descendants of officials. They study diligently and are devoted to pursuing a career in the imperial court. If a rich youngster has a hair bun, it indicates that they are from a military family.

Squire

In ancient China, squires were wealthy merchants or landowners. In shadow plays, squires wearing caps with lighter colors are relatively less well off, while those wearing caps with deeper, richer engravings and adornments are wealthier.

A white mourning cap is worn by a character whose relative has just passed away.

Lion helmet: This helmet features a lion, and has a fluffy ball hanging from the front, and a bell at the back. It is also engraved with a flower motif.This helmet would be worn by military officers such as Mu Gua in “Muke Fortress.”

Mask Helmet

Sichuan Opera is world-renowned for changing the face of a character using masks, and face masks are also used in northern Sichuan shadow puppetry. They are usually reserved for demons and deities, to represent changes in a character's personality.During a performance, the shadow play artist simply needs to pull a linen string on the mask to instantly transform an individual into a spirit, or a pretty girl into a raging demon.

The character’s face and headgear are not always carved in one piece. They are sometimes carved separately so they can be used interchangeably, depending on the script. This reduces the number of items needed, while enriching the play by making it more diverse and expressive.The sharp profiles, unmistakable lines, and diversity of colors in the headgear used in shadow puppetry bring the characters to life, allowing their experiences to resonate with the audience, as if they were made of flesh and blood.