Cantonese Opera - Frequently Used Terms

Frequently Used Terms

• Pheasant feathers (雉雞尾; Cantonese: Ci4 Gai1 Mei5)

These are attached to the helmet in mou (武) plays, and are used to express the character's skills and expressions. They are worn by both male and female characters.

• Water Sleeves (水袖; Cantonese: Seoi2 Zau6)

These are long flowing sleeves that can be flicked and waved like water, used to facilitate emotive gestures and expressive effects by both males and females in man (文) plays.

• Hand Movements (手動作; Cantonese: Sau2 Dung6 Zok3)

Hand and finger movements reflect the music as well as the action of the play. Females hold their hands in the elegant "lotus" form (荷花手; Cantonese: Ho4 Faa1 Sau2).

• Round Table/Walking (圓臺 or 圓台; Cantonese: Jyun4 Toi4)

A basic feature of Cantonese opera, the walking movement is one of the most difficult to master. Females take very small steps and lift the body to give a detached feel. Male actors take larger steps, which implies travelling great distances. The actors glide across the stage while the upper body is not moving.

• Boots (高靴; Cantonese: Gou1 Hœ1)

These are black boots with high white soles worn by males, which can impede walking.

• Gwo Wai (過位; Cantonese: Gwo3 Wai6/2)

This is a movement in which two performers move in a cross-over fashion to opposite sides of the stage.

• Deoi Muk (對目; Cantonese: Deoi3 Muk6)

In this movement, two performers walk in a circle facing each other and then go back to their original positions.

• "Pulling the Mountains"' (拉山; Cantonese: Laai1 Saan1) and "Cloud Hands" (雲手; Cantonese: Wan4 Sau2)

These are the basic movements of the hands and arms. This is the MOST important basic movement in ALL Chinese Operas. ALL other movements and skills are based on this form.

• Outward Step (出步; Cantonese: Ceot1 Bou6)

This is a gliding effect used in walking.

• Small Jump (小跳; Cantonese: Siu2 Tiu3)

Most common in mou (武) plays, the actor stamps before walking.

• Flying Leg (飛腿; Cantonese: Fei1 Teoi2)

A crescent kick.

• Hair-flinging (旋水髮; Cantonese: Syun4 Seoi2 Faat3)

A circular swinging of the ponytail, expressing extreme sadness and frustration.

• Chestbuckle/ Flower (繡花; Cantonese: Sau3 Faa1)

A flower-shaped decoration worn on the chest. A red flower on the male signifies that he is engaged.

• Horsewhip (馬鞭; Cantonese: Maa5 Bin1)

Performers swing a whip and walk to imitate riding a horse.

• Sifu (師傅; Cantonese: Si1 Fu6/2)

Literally, master, this is a term for experienced performers and teachers.