Legends Under the Lantern Light:
The Art of Light and Shadow in Chinese Shadow Puppetry
In Huaxian County, Shaanxi, Master Liu’s courtyard is set up with a liàngzi (screen). Under the glow of an oil lamp, the music begins—gongs, drums, and string instruments fill the air. Master Liu and his partner deftly manipulate leather shadow puppets. The legendary general “Guanyu” strokes his beard and raises his blade; “Zhang Fei” glares with leopard-like eyes. They leap and duel across the screen, reenacting epic tales from the Three Kingdoms.
Behind the screen: dancing light and shadow. Before the screen: an enthralled audience.This is the ancient, mesmerizing art of shadow puppetry.
Light-and-Shadow Storytelling
Shadow puppetry, known as “lantern shadow play” (灯影戏), crafts figures from animal hide (typically cow or donkey leather) through carving, dyeing, and jointing. Performers project these puppets onto a screen via backlighting, creating a drama of silhouettes.
A gem of traditional Chinese culture and a vital ICH project, its crafting is an exquisite art: hide selection, tanning, sketching, openwork carving, coloring, ironing, jointing… each step demands meticulous skill. Puppets feature exaggerated yet vivid forms, fluid lines, and vibrant colors—uniquely decorative.
This Art Refuses To Fade Into History
A shadow puppet play is a synthetic art, integrating puppet crafting, manipulation, regional vocals, and live music.
Exquisite shadow puppet collectibles serve as distinctive cultural symbols; decorative art infused with puppet motifs adds whimsy to homes; ICH shadow puppet performances still dazzle during festivals and in theaters; while shadow puppet crafting workshops let participants carve their own puppets, immersing them in the charm of this ancient light-and-shadow storytelling.
As lantern light flickers, millennia-old legends remain vibrantly alive.
