Face-Changing in Sichuan Opera

Have you ever heard of Bian Lian, or Face-Changing? It’s a traditional Chinese art that’s practiced in Sichuan opera, and it originated from ancestors painting their faces to scare away wild animals.

Sichuan Opera is part of China’s cultural heritage and is mainly found in the country’s southwest provinces.

Incredibly, the most skilled Bian Lian performed can flip through up to 15 masks in 20 seconds. To make things more interesting, they can include things like fire breathing, kung fu, and acrobatics into their acts.

Sadly, like many traditional folk arts, Sichuan Opera’s existence is threatened by modernization, due to the lack of students taking up this skill nowadays. Without proper preservation, it may die out in the future.