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{{Short description|General name for female roles in Chinese opera}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Dan'' role}}
{{chinese|title=Dan|pic=Peony Pavilion （牡丹亭）2.jpg|c={{linktext|旦}}|p=dàn|w=tan}}
'''''Dan''''' is the general name for female roles in [[Chinese opera]], often referring to leading roles. They may be played by male or female actors. In the early years of [[Peking opera]], all {{transliteration|zh|dan}} roles were played by men, but this practice is no longer common in any Chinese opera genre.
==Male ''dan'' actors==
Male actors who specialize in playing ''dan'' are referred to as [[wikt:男旦|''nándàn'' (男旦)]]; the [[Cross-gender acting|practice]] arose during the [[Qing dynasty]] due to imperial prohibitions against women performing on stage, considered detrimental to public morality.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Guanda Wu |year=2013 |title=Should Nandan Be Abolished? The Debate over Female Impersonation in Early Republican China and Its Underlying Cultural Logic |journal=[[Asian Theatre Journal]] |volume=30 |issue=1 |pages=189–206 |doi=10.1353/atj.2013.0008 |citeseerx=10.1.1.818.4786 |s2cid=161652350 }}</ref> This practice of female impersonation by male actors was led by [[Mei Lanfang]], one of the most famous dan performers.<ref name=":2" /> In the early years of [[Peking opera]], all {{transliteration|zh|Dan}} roles were played by men. Wei Changsheng, a male {{transliteration|zh|Dan}} performer in the Qing court, developed the {{transliteration|zh|''cai qiao''}}, or "false foot" technique, to simulate the [[Foot binding|bound feet]] of women and the characteristic gait that resulted from the practice.
In the late Qing dynasty and the early republic, the performance of actresses became popular.<ref name=":2" /> As a result, women were playing increasingly important roles on stage.<ref name=":2" /> But [[Peking opera]] has been characterized by female impersonation for years, male dan actors were viewed as irreplaceable by female actors.<ref name=":2">{{cite journal |last1=Tian |first1=Min |title=Male Dan: the Paradox of Sex, Acting, and Perception of Female Impersonation in Traditional Chinese Theatre |journal=Asian Theatre Journal |date=2000 |volume=17 |issue=1 |pages=78–97 |doi=10.1353/atj.2000.0007 |jstor=1124205 |s2cid=161979032 }}</ref>
In [[Peking opera]], the famous Dans are [[Mei Lanfang]], [[Cheng Yanqiu]], [[Shang Xiaoyun]], and [[Xun Huisheng]], all men.<ref name="Four Dan">{{cite journal |last1=Wang |first1=David Der-wei |title=Impersonating China |journal=Chinese Literature: Essays, Articles, Reviews |date=2003 |volume=25 |pages=133–163 |doi=10.2307/3594285 |jstor=3594285 }}</ref> In [[Pingju]], the "Four Big Famous Dans" {{nowrap|({{lang|zh|{{linktext|四|大名|旦}}}},}} ''Sì Dàmíng Dàn'') are [[Ai Lianjun]], [[Bai Yushuang]], [[Liu Cuixia]], and [[Xi Cailian]].{{sfnp|Chan|2003|p=17}} There were also "Four Small Famous Dans" (四小名旦)  Li Shifang, Mao Shilai, [[Zhang Junqiu]], and [[Song Dezhu]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.china.com.cn/culture/zhuanti/zgjj/2007-09/20/content_8919349.htm|title=京剧四小名旦_中国网|website=www.china.com.cn|access-date=2018-03-15}}</ref>
==Subtypes==
There are a few different kinds of ''dan'' in Chinese opera. The commonly seen ones are 'Guimen Dan', 'Zheng Dan', 'Hua Dan', 'Daoma Dan', 'Wu Dan', 'Lao Dan' and 'Cai Dan'. Each different kind of dan has its own unique characteristics.
===Guimen Dan===
The Guimen Dan ({{lang|zh|{{linktext|闺|门|旦}}}}, "[[boudoir]]-door role") is the role of the virtuous lady. They are usually young and unmarried women that have high social status.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |last1=Evans |first1=Megan |title=Cross-gender playing techniques: Actresses and innovation in the portrayal of female 'Jingju' (Beijing / Peking opera) roles |journal=Australasian Drama Studies |issue=75 |pages=233–258 |url=https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/INFORMIT.885015940201650 }}</ref> Guimen Dan focus more on singing and they have little movement. They sing in a very high pitched and piercing voice. Opera schools in China have difficulty recruiting students for this kind of role, since it requires a good voice, good looks, and a good height. The most famous Guimen Dan of the last century was [[Mei Lanfang]]. Examples of Guimen roles are [[Du Liniang]] (杜丽娘) from ''[[The Peony Pavilion]]'' (牡丹亭) and [[Xue Pinggui and Wang Baochuan|Wang Baochuan]] (王宝钏)from ''Wujiapo''  (武家坡).
=== Zheng Dan ===
The Zheng Dan ({{lang|zh|{{linktext|正|旦}}}}, "straight role"), also known as Qingyi ({{lang|zh|{{linktext|青衣}}}}, "verdant-clad"){{refn|group=n|''Qing'' is a color without direct translation into English. It is a single color of which both [[green]] and [[blue]] (and some shades of [[black]]) are considered shades. ''See'' [[Blue-green distinction in language]].}} is the role of middle-aged women.<ref name=":12">{{cite journal |last1=Li |first1=Kay |title=Shaw and Chinese Music: Exploring Cross-Cultural Peking Opera with Mei Lan Fang and Hsiung Shih I |journal=Shaw |date=1 June 2019 |volume=39 |issue=1 |pages=76–97 |doi=10.5325/shaw.39.1.0076 |s2cid=194402442 }}</ref> The characters are mostly married, dignified and elegant women and are mainly the roles of wives and mothers.<ref name=":12" /> Similar to Guimen Dan, Qingyi's performance is characterized by singing and speeches, and the range of motion is relatively small.<ref name=":1">{{cite journal |last1=Fan |first1=Xing |title=The 'Broken' and the 'Breakthroughs': Acting in 'Jingju' Model Plays of China's Cultural Revolution |journal=Asian Theatre Journal |date=2013 |volume=30 |issue=2 |pages=360–389 |doi=10.1353/atj.2013.0023 |jstor=43187269 |s2cid=143896928 }}</ref> They are also required to not show their teeth or move their dresses when they perform.<ref name=":12" />
===Hua Dan===
A Hua Dan ({{lang|zh|{{linktext|花|旦}}}}, "flowery role") is a lively, vivacious young [[female]] character.<ref name=":1" /> They normally wear short blouses with pants or [[skirts]]. Unlike the Guimen Dan, the Hua Dan focuses more on movements and speech. They must be able to speak quickly and clearly. They also need to project an image of cuteness and innocence as Hua Dan always represent [[girls]] of around 12–16 years old. Often, a Guimen Dan is accompanied by a Hua Dan maid. [[Hongniang]] of the ''[[Romance of the Western Chamber]]'' and [[Yan Poxi|Yan Xijiao]] (阎惜姣) of ''Wulongyuan'' (乌龙院) have involved the role of Hua Dan.
===Daoma Dan===
A Daoma Dan ({{lang|zh|{{linktext|刀|马|旦}}}}, "sword-and-horse role"){{refn|group=n|''Dao'' is generically translated "knife" but what is intended here is a [[da dao]]. Chinese distinguishes its bladed weapons by form (single- or double-bladed) rather than by size (knife/sword).}} is a young female warrior. The style of performance usually involves horseriding with a spear. This category is superficially similar to the Wu Dan, but the Daoma Dan does not fight as much as the Wu Dan. They do more stunts and dancing with the spear or whatever weapons they have. The Daoma Dan needs to sing, which is performed while dancing or doing stunts and requires great stamina. The Daoma Dan usually wears female warrior costumes with flags behind. Examples of Daoma Dan are [[Liang Hongyu]] and [[Mu Guiying]].  ''Daoma Dan'' is also the original Chinese title of the 1986 Hong Kong film ''[[Peking Opera Blues]]'', directed by [[Tsui Hark]].
===Wu Dan===
The Wu Dan ({{lang|zh|{{linktext|武|旦}}}}, "martial role") specializes in [[fighting]] with all kinds of [[weapons]]. The Wu Dan engages in fighting with opponents besides just doing stunts. In the past, the Wu Dan needed to perform cai qiao (踩跷), which the Daoma Dan did not do. Cai qiao is a very difficult skill requiring the actress to stand on tip toe throughout the whole show. The actress will wear something akin to high-heeled shoes, but the heels of this special kind of shoe are so high that the actress is practically standing on tip toe. Fake small shoes are then attached underneath so that it appears that the actress has very small feet. It is an imitation of the [[foot binding]] practice. Wu Dan must master many acrobatic movements. They specialize only in fighting hence they seldom sing or speak.  Examples of Wu Dan are Zhizhu Jing (蜘蛛精) of ''Pansidong'' (盘丝洞) and [[Hu Sanniang]].
===Lao Dan===
The Lao Dan ({{lang|zh|{{linktext|老|旦}}}}, "old role") are older women. They have their own set of movements and gestures and singing styles, distinguished against the Guimen Dan. The Guimen roles sing in high pitched and piercing voices while the Lao Dan sing in a lower pitched voice. Lao Dan costumes are also less vibrant compared to other female roles and they have much simpler hair styles.  An example is [[She Saihua|Dowager She]] of ''[[The Generals of the Yang Family|Yang Men Nu Jiang]]'' (杨门女将).
===Cai Dan===
The Cai Dan ({{lang|zh|{{linktext|彩|旦}}}}, "colorful role") is a [[clown]]ish woman. Cai Dan do not act like normal Dan and they do clownish gestures. Their movements resemble normal daily movements and they speak in normal voices. Clownish dans are now normally performed by men; hence they are physically unattractive, which is exaggerated by their hideous make up.
===Huashan===
One of Mei Lanfang's most important contributions to Peking opera was in pioneering another type of role, the {{transliteration|zh|''huashan''}}. This role type integrates the artistic characteristics of Zheng Dan, Hua Dan, and Daoma Dan, and creates a more versatile ''dan'' role.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wichmann |first1=Elizabeth |title=Tradition and Innovation in Contemporary Beijing Opera Performance |journal=TDR |date=1990 |volume=34 |issue=1 |pages=146–178 |doi=10.2307/1146013 |jstor=1146013 }}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[Chinese opera]]
* [[Guzhuang (costume)]]
==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=n}}
==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist|30em}}
===Bibliography===
* {{citation |last=Chan |first=Wai "Shirley" |editor-last=Xiao |editor-first=Hong Lee "Lily" |editor2-last=Stefanowska |editor2-first=A.D. |display-editors=0 |title=Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: The Twentieth Century, 1912–2000 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XOGdnCPJSOMC |contribution=Bai Yushuang |contribution-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XOGdnCPJSOMC&pg=PA17 |pages=16–18 |series=University of Hong Kong Libraries Publications, No. 14 |editor3-last=Wiles |editor3-first=Sue |date=2003 |publisher=translated from the Chinese by Cui Zhiying for M.E. Sharpe |isbn=9780765607980 }}.
* {{cite book|last=Crump|first=J. I.|title=Chinese Theater in the Days of Kublai Khan|year=1990|publisher=University of Michigan Center for Chinese Studies|location=Ann Arbor|isbn=0-89264-093-6|edition=Reprint}}
{{Chinese opera roles}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dan, Opera, Chinese}}
[[Category:Chinese opera role types]]
[[Category:Female stock characters]]