| Shehuo and Mashao(masks)
 Shehuo,
a traditional art performance, is popular in central
Shaanxi. It was originated in the Qin and Han dynasties
and developed in the Tang and Song dynasties. It was
even more popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Now Shehuo has became a folk recreational activity showing
people's happiness and expressing their good wishes.
 Differed
from common opera make-up in art performance style,
the make-up of Shehuo presents a wild and primitive
visual sensation.
By using various color, different style of masks exemplify
different characters in an exaggerated way. Vivid mythic
animal, monster, human and God characters emerge in
manifold meticulous painted masks.
 The
ingredients of masks consist of honey, egg, rock sugar
and pigment. Each element has its special function.
Honey can conglutinate pigment on face, egg polishes
the make-up and rock sugar liquid can fasten the first
layer of the make-up and bring out the color of first
layer from the upper layer.
You won't see those graceful masks until the 15th day
of Spring Festival. At that day, different Shehuo teams
from every village and county get together in Town Council
and hold a great celebration.
 Masks
can be found as art forms and for ceremonial use in
cultures all over the world. Humans have used masks
since the beginning of civilization. In some ways this
art is the one universal art that is the tie between
all cultures of humankind no matter how ancient or how
recent. The methods of making a mask differ in the materials
found in that region and also in the purposes of the
masks. Different cultures masking traditions are also
based on religious beliefs. Some cultures use masks
to frighten away evil spirits, sickness or events such
as; floods, famine and drought. Some cultures use masks
for funerals, theatre and just for fun. Other cultures
use masks in spiritual ceremonies.
Mashao is a kind of utensil used for feeding horses,
the round is for hold water, the long shape is for adding
the fodder, it made by wood or gourd. Mashao masks is
famous in Fengxiang country, Shaanxi province.
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