英语畅谈中国文化50主题 10

10.Beijing Opera Facial Masks

Beijing Opera is the cream of the Chinese culture. As such it has become a must-see item to entertain foreigners. But I don’t like its shrieking¹ singing and noisy . I enjoy the costumes and facial masks better. As a traditional art form, Beijing Opera has problems and appealing to the days theatre goes. It is very slow and monotonous². Its costumes and facial masks are more attractive. It has real distinct Ming Dynasty influence on Beijing Opera costumes. They are colorful and majestic³. Two long pieces of wide silk at the end of the sleeves create a graceful⁴ feeling during dancing. Different styles of costumes are used to reflect the status of different characters. There are more decorations in the costumes of nobles, while those of the poor tend to be simple and less elemental, as the same materials are used for all costumes to ensure the desired hierarchical presentation. Present-day designers are also borrowing from Beijing Opera for their work. Facial masks can reflect qualities of different characters. Facial masks using different colors are important ways to portray⁵ a character. There are hundreds of different facial mask designs and each character has its own design. For example, Guan Yu is a very well-known warrior⁶. People believe he had a dark-red complexion⁷. So his facial mask is painted red, because red is a color to represent loyalty⁸ and courage. As the folk thing goes, all red complexion guys are good guys. The facial mask of Song Dynasty Emperor Zhao Kuangyin depicts⁹ a dragon to show his imperial background. Another hero is Yang . There’s a tiger in his facial mask. The word ‘tiger’ is even written on the forehead to show that he is as courageous¹⁰ as tiger. So colors become an important expression. Yes, people can tell a hero from a villain¹¹ by the colors of the masks. In general, white usually represents treachery, black represents righteousness, yellow represents bravery, blue and green represent rebellious¹² fighters, while gold and silver represent divinity and Buddhism¹³. I didn’t realize Beijing Opera facial mask is so complicated. Although I can’t stand its shrieking singing, I still like to go to a Beijing Opera show and listen to mp3 while enjoying the facial masks. Then you can have the best of both wealth.

1 shrieking   

v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The boxers were goaded on by the shrieking crowd. 拳击运动员听见观众的喊叫就来劲儿了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• They were all shrieking with laughter. 他们都发出了尖锐的笑声。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 monotonous   

adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的

参考例句：

• She thought life in the small town was monotonous.她觉得小镇上的生活单调而乏味。
• His articles are fixed in form and monotonous in content.他的文章千篇一律，一个调调儿。

3 majestic   

adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的

参考例句：

• In the distance rose the majestic Alps.远处耸立着雄伟的阿尔卑斯山。
• He looks majestic in uniform.他穿上军装显得很威风。

4 graceful   

adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的

参考例句：

• His movements on the parallel bars were very graceful.他的双杠动作可帅了!
• The ballet dancer is so graceful.芭蕾舞演员的姿态是如此的优美。

5 portray   

v.描写，描述；画(人物、景象等)

参考例句：

• It is difficult to portray feelings in words.感情很难用言语来描写。
• Can you portray the best and worst aspects of this job?您能描述一下这份工作最好与最坏的方面吗？

6 warrior   

n.勇士，武士，斗士

参考例句：

• The young man is a bold warrior.这个年轻人是个很英勇的武士。
• A true warrior values glory and honor above life.一个真正的勇士珍视荣誉胜过生命。

7 complexion   

n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格

参考例句：

• Red does not suit with her complexion.红色与她的肤色不协调。
• Her resignation puts a different complexion on things.她一辞职局面就全变了。

8 loyalty   

n.忠诚，忠心

参考例句：

• She told him the truth from a sense of loyalty.她告诉他真相是出于忠诚。
• His loyalty to his friends was never in doubt.他对朋友的一片忠心从来没受到怀疑。

9 depicts   

描绘，描画( depict的第三人称单数 )； 描述

参考例句：

• The book vividly depicts French society of the 1930s. 这本书生动地描绘了20 世纪30 年代的法国社会。
• He depicts the sordid and vulgar sides of life exclusively. 他只描写人生肮脏和庸俗的一面。

10 courageous   

adj.勇敢的，有胆量的

参考例句：

• We all honour courageous people.我们都尊重勇敢的人。
• He was roused to action by courageous words.豪言壮语促使他奋起行动。

11 villain   

n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因

参考例句：

• He was cast as the villain in the play.他在戏里扮演反面角色。
• The man who played the villain acted very well.扮演恶棍的那个男演员演得很好。

12 rebellious   

adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的

参考例句：

• They will be in danger if they are rebellious.如果他们造反，他们就要发生危险。
• Her reply was mild enough,but her thoughts were rebellious.她的回答虽然很温和，但她的心里十分反感。

13 Buddhism   

n.佛教（教义）

参考例句：

• Buddhism was introduced into China about 67 AD.佛教是在公元67年左右传入中国的。
• Many people willingly converted to Buddhism.很多人情愿皈依佛教。