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Facial symbolism,a special art in Chinese operas, distinctly
shows the image of certain roles by means of artic exaggeration
combining truthful portrayal with symbolism.The appearance of a
role reveals its age, disposition, moral quality and
distinguishing features. To create a new facial makeup which
combines traditional and modern quality,the structure of
traditonal facial makeup should be studied.Based on this
structure, the richness of modern aesthetics can be
contributed. One of the definitions of communication is the
process of communicating information meanings through signs.
Facial makeup is a sign that actors use to express their
characteristics to audience. However, because facial makeup are
iconic symbols of nonverbal symbols, and lack systematic
interpretations, they are hard to comprehend, especially for
the modern young generation. In this study, western semiology
is used to analye and interpret the meaning of facial
symbolism. The analysis is conducted in terms of the
associative relation and the syntagmatic relation. In the
analysis of associative relation it is found that the elements
such as pattern,color,eyebow, eye,nose,forehead,and mouth form
a facial makeup. In the analysis of syntagmatic relation,3
patterns of opposition--- uprightness,disinguousness and
impetuosity are categorized. A facial symbolism us constituted
by the combination of elements and patterns of opposition.
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