Rinbung Tibetan Opera Mask is one special type of Tibetan Monk Dance Mask and being made in Rinbung county, of which is administrated by Shigartse and situated in between Lhasa and Shigartse City. Rinbung in Tibetan means “Treasure”.
Tibetan opera is the traditional opera of Tibet, and it means Fairy in Tibetan. In Rinbung County, Tibetan opera is also called “Gyangkar Opera”, it is one of the three major Tibetan Opera School. According to Tibetan religious history that Tibetan Opera was created by a high-rank lama, whom is also Bridge Builder, called “Drupthok Thangthong Gyalpo” in 14th century. The Tibetan religion is the main inspiration of Tibetan Opera. As of a result, the mask Dance is also the major performance at one event or holy ceremony.
One Tibetan Opera performance usually includes dancing, chanting, singing, and masks, which is quite similar as a religious performance with just little difference. On those masks, a pattern of Sun and Moon is on the top middle of the forehead. And the roles of Tibetan Opera can be Distinguished by the color of the mask, In general it is regarded that A red mask refers to the King, a green refers the queen; and a yellow one refers lama and deity, etc.
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