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INTERNATIONAL TREASURES
ASIA — China
Peking Opera Flags from
the Qing Dynasty
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Image source—www.china.org
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Image source—www.arts.cultural-china.com
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Image source—www.wikipedia.com
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The colorful flags used in the Peking Opera are nearly always an integral part of the elaborate costumes worn by the performers, whose attire must enable the audience to distinguish; at first glance, a character's gender, demeanor, social hierarchy, nobility, and rank. Flags on a character, especially a imperial or a military player have their origins in the small flags Chinese generals would use to signal their subordinates.
During the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), Peking Opera troupes enlarged these flags and made them more decorative, producing the trademark flags on the performers back. Curiously the use of symbolic flags in these performances predates the use of a national flag in Imperial China. The Chinese worldview precluded the need for a national flag, as the living symbol of China was the Emperor.
The majority of the Peking Opera flags in the Zaricor Flag Collection are from the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912) and were acquired in Beijing, their origin date from prior to the 1900s. Presented here, in the sequence of the Chinese Zodiac, are silk embroidered flags from a Beijing Troupe of the Peking Opera.
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The Rat was the first animal of the Chinese Zodiac. Rat Flags could be used for either a forthright or a very manipulative character.
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Ox Flags were used to indicate either dependable or stubborn characters.
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ZFC1278Â Peking Opera Ox Flag. Read more
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A Tiger Flag stood for an unpredictable rebel or a colorful adventurer.
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ZFC1248Â Peking Opera Tiger Flag. Read more
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The Rabbit was symbolic of a gracious good friend or someone moody and detached.
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The Dragon is by far the most popular type of flag seen onstage at Peking Opera performances and could stand for either magnanimous stately heroes or imperious tyrannical villains. The color of the flag was also an important attribute of the character being portrayed.
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ZFC1250Â Peking Opera, The red field of the Dragon Flag stands for majestic and noble characters. Read more
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ZFC1251Â Peking Opera, The white field of the Dragon Flag indicates a handsome and young character. Read more
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ZFC1261Â Peking Opera, The green field of the Dragon Flag was used for mighty and bold characters. Read more
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Presented here is a set of four red Dragon Flags from the Peking Opera
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ZFC1281 Peking Opera—Blue Dragon on white flag Read more
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The Snake Flags were used to indicate a wise and mystical sage or an uncommunicative loner.
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ZFC1258Â Peking Opera Snake Flag. Read more
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Horse Flags indicated either a popular quick witted fellow or an arrogant fickle character.
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Goat Flags indicated someone either sincere and righteous or indecisive and passive.
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The Monkey flags stood for quick witted and inventive motivators as well as for egotistical and vain characters, a monkey with a peach was symbolic of immortality.
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The Rooster Flag stood for meticulous organized characters or overzealous egotists.
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ZFC1280Â Peking Opera Rooster Flag. Read more
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Modern Peking Opera Dragon Flags utilize the traditional styles and colors found in the Qing Dynasty flags except that the dragons have only four toes on each foot. The five toed dragon was intimately associated with the Emperor and Imperial Family, and are an abomination in the Peoples Republic of China. The dragon flag survives, but in a slightly modified form.
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