Although there seems to be an endless variety of colors and patterns, the making of these masks is subject to certain rules.
Color is extremely important.
Each color's selection must distinguish arrogance from humility, beauty from ugliness, goodness from evil, honesty from treachery. A mask which is principally red, for instance, symbolizes loyalty and courage, while creamy white shows craftiness and suspicion. If the color patterns are particularly grotesque , however, chances are the character is bad, ugly or Kenneth Starr. Beards too are significant in Chinese opera. Thus, old men stroke their beards in contemplation of an issue of Readers Digest, or jiggle their whiskers when they see a copy of Penthouse on the newstand.