Chinese opera - men's costume

Different types of dialect groups in Chinese Opera have slightly different costumes. Generally, men's costumes tend to be long robes that are either tied at the waist or left straight down.

Each character in Chinese Opera wears a distinctive costume which tells the audience about the rank, status and personality traits of the wearer. It is worn by actors and actresses playing high military officials in the jing (painted face), Wu Sheng (male acrobat) and Dao Ma Dan (female warrior) roles. If the official wears four triangular pennants on his back, it shows that he has received his authority from the emperor himself.

Hats
There are many different kinds of hats worn in Chinese Opera. Scholars and officials often wear simple black hats with two fins coming out from the sides.
Hats with rectangular fins are worn by high officials while round fins are worn by treacherous characters. Hats with long, thin fins are only worn by Prime Ministers. Thus, it is important for actors to wear the right hats as the fins denote an actor's character or rank.
A model poses in a Chinese traditional opera costume during the Cultural Festival.