On March 21, 2025 I wrote about my experience watching a rehersal on a Chinese Hokkien opera during my birthday on March 20 here in Kuala Lumpur and also those Chinese opera I watched as a small boy when I was still in school in my home town in the late 1950's here:
Chinese Temple Fair in Malaysia: My Experience
https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/2025/03/chinese-temple-fair-in-malaysia-my.html
It’s always a joy for me to share anything or any experience I know such as there are also different types of Chinese operas such as:
1. Peking Opera (京剧, Jīngjù) - The most famous form, originating in the late 18th century during the Qing Dynasty. It combines singing, recitation, acting, and acrobatics with elaborate costumes and face painting.
2. Kunqu Opera (昆曲, Kūnq) - Known for its poetic elegance and fluid movements, it originated in the Ming Dynasty and greatly influenced later forms of opera.
3. Cantonese Opera (粤剧, Yuèjù) - Popular in southern China, particularly in Guangdong and Hong Kong, with a focus on martial arts and emotional expression.
4. Sichuan Opera (川剧, Chuānjù) - Famous for its "face-changing" (变脸, biànliǎn) technique, where performers instantly switch masks to portray different emotions or characters.
5 . Yue Opera (越剧, Yuèjù) - Originating in Zhejiang province, it is known for its all-female performances and romantic themes.
There are symbolism in costumes and makeup in Chinese operas. Different colours in facial makeup in these operas represent character traits, red symbolizes loyalty, black represents integrity, white denotes treachery, and gold or silver indicates supernatural beings.
Let me tell you a little bit more what I know about Chinese opera due to its historical and rich cultural values that is deeply a rooted cultural art form with a history spanning over a thousand years. Let me take you through its origins, historical development, and cultural significance.
Chinese opera can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), where Emperor Xuanzong established the "Pear Garden" (梨园, Líyuán), a performing arts academy. The actors trained there were the first known professional opera performers, and to this day, Chinese opera performers are sometimes called "disciples of the Pear Garden" (梨园子弟).
By the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD), various regional opera styles emerged, incorporating folk music, dance, and storytelling. During the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368 AD), Chinese opera became more structured, influenced by the storytelling traditions of the time. The Ming (1368–1644 AD) and Qing Dynasties (1644–1912 AD) saw the peak of Chinese opera’s artistic refinement, with the emergence of more sophisticated forms such as Kunqu and Peking opera.
What about the cultural significance of these operas? What are their moral and philosophical themes?
Chinese opera often portrays Confucian values such as loyalty, filial piety, and righteousness. Many stories are based on historical events, folklore, and classical literature like Journey to the West and Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Cultural Preservation and Modern Adaptation:
Chinese opera is not just an art form, it’s a living representation of Chinese history, philosophy, and aesthetics. It has survived centuries of political and social changes, continuing to captivate audiences with its mesmerizing performances.
Most of the operas I saw in Malaysia are Hokkien opera. As far as I know about Hokkien Opera (Minnan Opera, 闽南戏, Mǐnnán Xì), also known as Liyuan Opera (梨园戏, Líyuán Xì) or Minnan Opera, it is a traditional performing art popular in Fujian, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, especially among Hokkien-speaking communities. It evolved from folk storytelling and classical Chinese opera forms, such as Nanxi (Southern Opera) and Kunqu.
The features of Hokkien opera is the language performed in the Hokkien (Minnan) dialect. They use traditional instruments like the erhu (二胡), pipa (琵琶), gongs (锣), and drums (鼓) to create dramatic effects. Usually the theme is based on historical events, folklore, Chinese mythology, and Confucian values.
The costumes & makeup is similar to Peking opera, but with influences from Fujian folk traditions. Elaborate costumes and stylized movements convey emotions and social status. It is a religious performances often performed in temples during deity birthdays and festivals as an offering to the gods and a form of entertainment for the community.
Since what I saw the celebration of Sing Ong Kong, it is very likely that Hokkien opera or puppet shows (布袋戏, Bùdàixì) were performed as part of the festivities.
A typical Hokkien (Minnan) temple can have multiple deities, sages, or historical figures, as what I was also told by people in the restaurant opposite that temple. But this depends on local traditions. Some temples may venerate one primary deity while others have many gods and sages together.
The common gods and sages in Hokkien temples are:
1. Mazu (媽祖, Māz) – Goddess of the Sea, protector of fishermen and travelers.
2. Guandi (关帝, Guān Dì) – The deified form of Guan Yu, a historical general from Romance of the Three Kingdoms. He represents loyalty and righteousness.
3. Cheng Huang (城隍, Chénghuáng) – City God, protector of a town or region.
4. Tudigong (土地公, Tǔdìgōng) – Earth God, a local deity who protects land and communities.
5. Baosheng Dadi (保生大帝, Bǎoshēng Dàdì) – A Taoist deity associated with healing and medicine.
6. Zheng Chenggong (郑成功, Zhèng Chénggōng, aka Koxinga) – A Ming Dynasty hero who fought against the Qing and established rule over Taiwan.
7. Sing Ong Kong (聖王公) – As I mentioned, is a revered figure. Some believe he refers to historical figures deified for their wisdom or military prowess.
Each temple may have different combinations of deities, depending on its history, the community’s needs, and whether it follows Taoism, Buddhism, or a mix of Chinese folk religion.
As I am a Hainanese, what about my own Hainanese opera? We too have our own opera. I shall write just a little bit about my Hainanese opera in Part 3
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