#nuo

Hi, thanks for the question, and sorry for taking ages to reply!

As you've noted, masks (mianju/面具) are a popular fashion accessory in Chinese guzhuang (costume) dramas. While China has a rich history and variety of traditional masks, most of the masks you see in Cdramas are made-up fantasy masks -- this is especially true for wuxia and xianxia dramas that do not aim for historical accuracy, as I explained here. Below are examples of fantasy masks in Chinese guzhuang dramas (1/2). Note how they have a "masquerade"-like aesthetic that is very different from traditional Chinese masks:

Traditional Chinese masks include masks from Chinese theatre, including Nuo theatre/opera (Nuoxi/傩戏) and Beijing opera, etc., and other masks for partaking in folk theatre, rituals, dances, and play. Some examples below:

Nuo opera masks from Guichi, Anhui (x):

Nuo opera masks displayed in the Longping Rice Museum in Changsha, Hunan (x):

Nuo opera masks from Anshun, Guizhou (x):

A selection of classic Beijing opera mask designs (x):

While fantasy masks are as popular as ever in wuxia/xianxia dramas, I'm glad to note that historically accurate masks, such as Nuo opera masks, are appearing more frequently in historical dramas. For example, characters in the 2024 drama Blossom and the 2025 drama Flourished Peony have scenes in which they wear Nuo opera masks (1/2):

I see this as part of a larger trend of Chinese dramas aiming for more historical accuracy in costuming.

For more references, please see my masks tag.

Nuo theatre, Nuo drama, Nuo opera, or Nuoxi (儺戲;傩戏) is a traditional theatrical art popular in many regions of China. Characterized by features such as ferocious masks, distinctive attire and adornments, a distinctive performance language, and mysterious scenes.

The opera is a religious performance intrinsic to Nuo folk religion, which is a variant of Chinese folk religion with its own system of temples, rituals, orders of priests, and gods that is interethnic and practiced across central and southern China.

The purpose of Nuo theatre is to drive away devils, disease and evil influences, and also to petition for blessings from the gods. Singing and dancing are included in Nuo theatre, and performers wear costumes and masks.

Nuo theatre is a direct and important expressive medium of Nuo culture. Other forms of representation of Nuo culture include Nuo dance (傩舞; 儺舞), Nuo song (傩歌; 儺歌), Nuo sacrifice (傩祭) and Nuo ceremony (傩仪; 儺儀) and others. The unique symbol of Nuo theatre, the masks, are considered a treasure of Chinese folk art.

Nuo theatre has a considerable repertoire, which varies from region to region. Nuo dramas are usually based on well-known Chinese historical events or folk stories such as Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Journey to the West, Water Margin and the story of the Dragon Kings. Some famous repertoires of Nuo theatre include Lady Mengjiang, Seizing the Yellow Devil, and Story of Mount Liang.

Nuo theatre is popular in rural areas in Guizhou, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, and Guangxi. It is also popular in the regions inhabited by other minorities, such as the Hmong, Tujia, Dong, and Yao.

Ocs from a dream I had. Sharing as a part of my ongoing effort to be less afraid of imperfection

Le jour du Mardi Gras, je suis allé à Binche, ville wallonne de Belgique, pour assister au Carnaval. J'en ai profité pour visiter le très intéressant Mumask (Musée international du Carnaval et du Masque). Ici l'aile des masques et costumes du Monde.

schiachpercht - Salzburgerland, Autriche, fin XXe s.

masque-heaume de la sorcière Rangda, pour la danse "Tjalonarang" - Java, Indonésie, fin XXe s.

masque de théâtre Nuo d'une divinité montagnarde - Guizhou, Chine, fin XIXe s.

masque de théâtre Nuo de démon - Guizhou, XVIIIe s.

sculpture protectrice d'un fourmilier - ticura, Amazonie, Brésil, fin XXe s.

diable - Barranquilla, Colombie ; hexe (sorcière) - Jura souabe, Allemagne ; masque-cagoule "kavat" - baining, Nouvelle-Bretagne, Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée, fin XX

Editing my own art onto a Pokemon Card: QUAGSIRE!!!