The Enchanting World of Chinese Shadow Puppets中國皮影戲的迷人世界

Shadow puppets have been a cherished form of entertainment in China for centuries. This traditional art form combines storytelling， music， and intricate puppetry to create a mesmerizing experience for audiences of all ages. In this article， we will delve into the enchanting world of Chinese shadow puppets， exploring their history， techniques， and cultural significance.

千百年來，皮影戲一直是深受中國人喜愛的娛樂形式。這種傳統藝術形式集講故事、音樂和精妙的皮影表演于一身，男女老少均為之著迷。在本文中，我們將深入中國皮影戲的迷人世界，探索其歷史，探尋其技藝，探究其文化意義。

The origins of Chinese shadow puppets can be traced back to over 2，000 years ago during the Han Dynasty. It is believed that the art form was initially used as a form of divination1， with the puppets being used to cast shadows on a screen to predict the future. Over time， shadow puppetry evolved into a popular form of entertainment， performed in villages and at festivals throughout China.

中國皮影戲的歷史可追溯到2000多年前的漢朝。相傳，這種藝術形式最初用于占卜，通過投射在幕布上的人偶影子來預測未來。隨著時間的推移，皮影戲逐漸演化成一種廣受歡迎的娛樂形式，在中國農村和節日慶典上表演。

The puppets themselves are made from translucent leather or parchment， carefully cut and shaped to depict various characters and animals. Each puppet is attached to a long bamboo stick， allowing the puppeteer to manipulate their movements behind a backlit2 screen. The puppets are brought to life through the skillful manipulation of the puppeteer， who uses their hands and fingers to create fluid and lifelike movements.

人偶由半透明的皮革或羊皮紙制作而成，經過精心切割和剪裁呈現出各種人物與動物形態。每個人偶都綁在一根長竹竿上，從而表演者能夠在背光幕布后面操縱動作。表演者動動手指，人偶便做出活靈活現的動作。他們高超的技藝仿佛給人偶注入了生命。

Chinese shadow puppetry is known for its intricate craftsmanship and attention to detail. The puppets are often adorned with colorful costumes and accessories， adding to their visual appeal. The puppeteers also use various techniques to create different effects， such as using different sizes of puppets to create depth and perspective， or using multiple puppets to create complex scenes.

中國皮影戲以工藝精妙和關注細節而著稱。人偶身著彩衣配飾，在視覺上增加了吸引力。表演者還使用多種技藝來營造不同效果，例如使用大小不一的人偶創設立體感、變換視角，或者使用多個人偶呈現復雜場景。

The performances are accompanied by traditional music， played on instruments such as the erhu （a two-stringed fiddle） and the guzheng （a plucked zither）， adding to the immersive experience.

皮影表演通常配以二胡（一種雙弦提琴）或古箏（一種撥弦式的扁琴）演奏的傳統音樂，增強了觀眾的沉浸式體驗。

Chinese shadow puppetry is not only a form of entertainment but also holds deep cultural significance. It is considered a valuable part of China’s intangible cultural heritage， representing the creativity， craftsmanship， and storytelling traditions of the Chinese people. The art form has also been recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

中國皮影戲不僅是一種娛樂形式，還具有深厚的文化意義。它是中國非物質文化遺產的重要組成部分，代表了中國人民的創造力、手工藝以及講故事的傳統。聯合國教科文組織已將其列為人類口頭和非物質遺產代表作。

In recent years， there has been a renewed interest in Chinese shadow puppetry， both within China and internationally. Efforts are being made to preserve and promote this traditional art form， with puppetry schools and workshops being established to train new generations of puppeteers. Additionally， exhibitions and performances are being held around the world to showcase the beauty and uniqueness of Chinese shadow puppetry.

近年來，中國皮影戲在國內外重新煥發生機。人們正努力保護并推廣這種傳統藝術形式，通過開辦皮影學校和皮影工坊培育新一代皮影藝人。此外，世界各地還舉辦了皮影展覽和表演，彰顯出中國皮影戲的美與獨特。

Iconic stories and characters in Chinese shadow puppetry

中國皮影戲中的經典故事與角色

One of the most beloved stories in Chinese shadow puppetry is “The Legend of the White Snake.” This tale revolves around the love story between a human， Xu Xian， and a white snake spirit， Bai Suzhen， who transforms into a beautiful woman. Their romance faces numerous challenges， particularly from the monk Fahai， who believes their union disrupts the natural order. The story is rich with themes of love， sacrifice， and the struggle between good and evil， making it a perfect fit for the dramatic and expressive nature of shadow puppetry. The characters of Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian are iconic， with Bai Suzhen often depicted with flowing robes and delicate features， while Xu Xian is portrayed as a humble and earnest young man.

中國皮影戲中最受歡迎的故事之一是《白蛇傳》。這個傳說圍繞著凡人許仙和變成美麗女子的蛇精白素貞的愛情故事展開。二人的愛情面臨重重阻礙，尤其受到了法海和尚的阻撓，他認為二人的結合違背天道倫常。這個故事涉及愛情、犧牲以及善惡之爭的主題，與皮影戲戲劇化和表演性的特征十分吻合。白素貞和許仙這兩個人物堪稱經典，白素貞衣袂飄飄，容顏精致，許仙則被描繪成一個謙遜誠摯的年輕人。

Another classic tale frequently performed in shadow puppetry is “Journey to the West，” which follows the adventures of the Monkey King， Sun Wukong. This story is based on the 16th-century novel of the same name and chronicles the journey of the monk Tang Sanzang as he travels to India to obtain sacred Buddhist texts. Accompanying him are his three disciples： Sun Wukong， Zhu Bajie （a pig-like creature）， and Sha Wujing （a river ogre）. The Monkey King， with his mischievous nature and incredible martial arts skills， is a favorite among audiences. His character is often depicted with exaggerated features and dynamic movements， making him a standout figure in shadow puppet performances.

皮影戲經常表演的另一個經典故事是《西游記》，講述了美猴王孫悟空的冒險故事。這個故事改編自16世紀的同名小說，講述了高僧唐三藏帶著孫悟空、豬八戒（豬首人身的妖怪）和沙悟凈（原是河妖）三個徒弟西行印度、求取佛經的歷程。其中，美猴王生性頑皮，武藝高強，是觀眾最喜愛的角色。其形象多作夸眉怒目之態，騰挪翻轉之間盡顯神采，在皮影表演中獨樹一幟。

In addition to these well-known stories， Chinese shadow puppetry also features a host of other characters drawn from history and legend. For instance， the tales of General Yue Fei， a Song Dynasty hero known for his loyalty and bravery， are popular subjects. Yue Fei’s character is typically portrayed with a stern expression and a commanding presence， reflecting his status as a revered military leader. Similarly， the story of Mulan， the legendary female warrior who disguises herself as a man to take her father’s place in the army， is another favorite. Mulan’s character embodies themes of courage， filial piety， and gender roles， making her an inspiring figure in Chinese culture.

除了這些家喻戶曉的故事，中國皮影戲還取材于歷史和傳說。比如，忠誠勇敢的宋朝英雄岳飛將軍的故事是廣受歡迎的皮影戲題材。岳飛的形象常以神情肅穆、不怒自威的姿態呈現，反映出其威震四方的武將身份。同樣，花木蘭女扮男裝、替父從軍的故事也深受觀眾喜愛。木蘭這個人物體現了多個主題，包括勇敢、孝順及對性別角色的探討，成為中國文化中激勵人心的形象。

The cultural impact of these stories and characters extends beyond the performances themselves. They serve as a means of preserving and transmitting cultural values， historical events， and moral lessons to new generations. The visual and auditory elements of shadow puppetry—such as the intricate designs of the puppets， the vibrant colors， and the accompanying music and narration—create a multi-sensory experience that leaves a lasting impression on audiences. Moreover， the communal aspect of watching a shadow puppet performance fosters a sense of shared cultural heritage and identity.

這些故事和人物所產生的文化影響超越了表演本身，成為保護和傳承文化價值觀、宣講歷史事件和對下一代進行道德教育的方式。皮影設計精巧、顏色鮮艷，表演伴有音樂和念白，這些視聽元素營造出多種感官體驗，令觀眾回味無窮。此外，大家常常一同觀看皮影戲，這有利于培養人們對于共同文化遺產和民族身份的認同感。

［譯者單位：中國石油大學（北京）］

1 divination占卜，算命。

2 backlit（尤指為了制造特殊效果）從背后照亮的。