A form of Chinese opera which arose in the late 18th century, Peking or Beijing opera has come to be regarded as one of the cultural treasures of China. It is known for its stage characters and their elaborate and colourful costumes, because the performers are the only focal points on Beijing opera's characteristically sparse stage. They utilize the skills of speech, song, dance, and combat in movements that are symbolic and suggestive, rather than realistic. Above all else, the skill of performers is evaluated according to the beauty of their movements. Performers also adhere to a variety of stylistic conventions that help audiences navigate the plot of the production. The layers of meaning within each movement must be expressed in time with music. This beautifully illustrated book explains the background to the characters of the opera, opening up the symbology and codes to a Western audience.