Shadow Puppet Show

Chinese Shadow puppet show (play) is ancient and amazing folk art, popular in Guanzhong and other areas of China. Some introduction said the puppet is made of cow's leather or donkey hide, but they are all colorful and vivid, can’t imagine the complicated process one piece involved. Shadow play figures are very popular with collectors and as home decorations. On my tours to Xian
, I found many tourists bought them as souvenir.

In Chinese the name for shadow puppet silhouette is "pi ying", which means shadows of hides or leather. The figures of the shadow puppet show are from the Chinese myths, legends and stories even the classical books. And their designs follow the traditional moral evaluation and aesthetics. The audience can tell a figure's character by seeing his mask. Above pictures indicated the most famous legend in China – Journey to the West

Children are very interested with the puppet, and they were all playing with their way and telling own story…

Using two hands to control the puppet figure, you will lose in confuse and don’t know how to make it move! But see that performance, there are always one or two people who driving the whole show while singing or telling the story!

To overcome the limit imposed when only the profile of puppets can be seen, shadow puppets use exaggeration and heavy dramatization. The faces and the costumes of puppets are vivid and humorous. Leather silhouette coloring is usually bright and transparent, mostly in black, red, yellow, and green. Most Chinese at site could tell something about the puppet.

The flowery color, the elegant sculpting and smooth lines make shadow puppets not only props but also artwork. It is said that a shadow puppet takes as many as 24 procedures and more than 3,000 cuts. I had not hesitant to get some as they are really really stunning! Strongly recommend to view this folk art in your own eyes when you tours in Xian, China.