Editing Mask (section)

====China====
[[File:Beijing opera mask.jpg|thumb|right|120px|A [[Peking opera]] mask]]
In China, masks are thought to have originated in ancient religious ceremonies. Images of people wearing masks have been found in rock paintings along the [[Yangtze]]. Later mask forms brings together myths and symbols from [[shamanism]] and [[Buddhism]].<ref name="Emigh-1996"/>
[[File:青铜纵目面具B.jpg|thumb|[[Sanxingdui]] Bronze Mask with Protruding Eyes, [[Shu (state)|Shu]]]]
''Shigong'' dance masks were used in shamanic rituals to thank the gods, while [[Nuo opera|''nuo'']] dance masks protected from bad spirits. Wedding masks were used to pray for good luck and a lasting marriage, and "Swallowing Animal" masks were associated with protecting the home and symbolised the "swallowing" of disaster. Opera masks were used in a basic "common" form of opera performed without a stage or backdrops. These led to colourful facial patterns that we see in today's [[Peking opera]].