
The Image of Dragons in Traditional Chinese Opera: Peking Opera and Chinese Classical Theatre
Dragons have been a fundamental element of Chinese culture, mythology, and performance arts for centuries. In traditional Chinese opera, particularly Peking Opera (京剧, Jīngjù) and classical theatre (such as traditional Chinese drama, or Xìqǔ 戏曲), the dragon serves as a powerful symbol of imperial authority, cosmic forces, and supernatural strength. The portrayal of dragons in…