Facial Makeup (Lianpu) in Peking Opera is mostly applied to the male roles of Jing and Chou, with particular styles to symbolize the different personalities, characteristics, and fates of the roles. Some people argue that the facial make-up is similar to the mask. Nevertheless, there are great differences between the two in that masks are separate from the face. Different make-up colors symbolize different personalities:

Red - brave, faithful and wise men, with utter devotion

Purple - wise, brave and steadfast men

Black - upright, outspoken, and never stooping to flattery

Blue - brave, upright and outspoken men, but obstinate and unruly

Green - hero of the bush, chivalrous but with a testy temper

Yellow - valiant but ferocious military men or crafty civil officers

White - insidious and treacherous

Gold & silver - mysterious monsters or gods