Hang Dang is a very special system and arrangement of Characters in Chinese opera. According to different personas in the opera, at first, actors and actresses have to found on those personas’ genders, characteristics, status and etc. then emphasize on the different kinds of make up, costume, and performances; therefore, people categorize those different types of personas with the performers into the system of Hang Dang
老生
lao sheng
The Sheng of mature, Lao Sheng, often performed as an aging man or a middle-age man with beards.
武生
wu sheng
Wu Sheng is about the militant or martial males are skilled in the art of kung fu.
They would use loud and masculine voice to sing and speak.
青衣
qing yi
Ching I is a role of the kind of faithful and moral women, especially a faithful wife, lover, or maiden in distress..
花旦
hua tan
Hua Tan is a role of a very lively energetic young woman, or a young female flirt. Sometimes, a Hua Tan could be in a low social status, but with a comic character.
正淨
zheng ching
Zheng ching is a primarily painted-face role who emphasizes on singing and also named as “唱功花臉.”
Zheng ching usually plays roles of higher social status, sophisticated manner or justice.
武淨
wu ching
Wu (martial-art) ching, a fighting and gymnastic role, who also called “摔打花臉”usually plays an assistant role to the main martial-arts player. Wu ching’s acting mainly focuses on fighting instead of singing or speaking.
藍臉
lan lian
The choice of colors, largely empirical, is based on the experience of many generations of veteran dramatic artists, through whom a fairly complete set of Peking opera facial patterns has been created. Blue stand for valor and resolution
金銀臉
jin ying lian
Gold and silver are used on the faces and bodies of deities, Buddhas, spirits, and demons, because their sheen produces a supernatural effect.
文丑
wen chou
Wen chou who is funny and does not perform much martial-art. Wen chou could be subdivided into several types according to the status, age and characteristics. Wen chou mostly represents the common people and can be either good or evil.
