Beijing-based actress Fang Shu demonstrates finger
patterns in Peking Opera. Photos by Wang Jing.

In Peking Opera, finger movements express different emotions and characters. For actresses, this is called "orchid fingers", because it looks like flowers.

Beijing-based actress Fang Shu demonstrates finger patterns in Peking Opera. Photos by Wang Jing

Mei Lanfang, one of the most famous Peking Opera artists, developed and created many beautiful finger patterns as well as colorful make-up. International opera fans used to say that his hands had a kind of "intoxicating beauty".

Peking Opera performers make expressive movements with their hands, such as smoothing a beard, adjusting a hat, jerking a sleeve while raising a foot. These all convey particular emotions.

A trembling body indicates extreme anger while the flicking of a sleeve expresses disgust. If an actor throws his hand above his head and flicks his sleeves back, he is astonished or surprised and an actress demonstrates embarrassment by covering her face with one sleeve.

Some of the movements are less easily understood. For instance, if an actor quickly grasps his sleeves and then promptly puts his hands behind his back in a determined manner, this indicates he is bracing himself for something important.

Sometimes a movement can go on for a long time. For instance, if an actor is conceiving a plan, his fingers and hands shake nervously by the side of his body, and when the plan is formulated, he thumps his fist against the other palm with a resounding smack. When expressing worry the actor will rub his hands together for several minutes.