If you ask me what is the happiest moment in my life, it must be the moment when I put on the Nuo Mask and acted as a god on the stage at the entrance of the village. However, I never expected that one day my favorite would appear in a game and become extremely popular.
A few days ago, I saw the new trailer of "Black Myth: Wukong" and almost pierced my old phone screen. Oh my god, isn't that the Nuo mask in our Nuo opera? The familiar shape and mysterious atmosphere are just like the Nuo opera stage moved to the game! I immediately sent a message to my group of "Nuo friends", but found that they were already furious.
To be honest, I feel very happy to see so many people paying attention to the culture I am obsessed with. However, I bet that many people’s first reaction when seeing these masks is definitely: "Wow, this is too scary!" But do you know? These seemingly scary masks have thousands of years of history behind them!
Nuo masks, to put it simply, are the magic weapon our ancestors used to exorcise evil spirits and avoid disasters. In the era when plagues were rampant and nature was full of pitfalls, our ancestors came up with this trick: put on a scary mask, dance wildly, and scare away those evil spirits. You know what, this trick is quite effective. Over time, this ritual of exorcism has become a performing art, which is what we see today as Nuo opera.
The history of Nuo masks is quite long. The earliest Nuo masks were created during the Shang and Zhou dynasties. At that time, people carved various ghosts and monsters out of animal bones and wood and wore them on their faces while dancing. By the Han Dynasty, Nuo opera had become an important activity in the palace. Even the emperor loved to watch it, which shows how popular it was.
However, the real development of Nuo masks was during the Tang and Song dynasties. At that time, Nuo opera was not only performed in the palace, but also became popular among the people. Craftsmen began to make masks with various materials, including wood, paper, and even metal. Nuo masks in each place have their own characteristics. For example, in our hometown of Guizhou, the most famous one is Nuotang Opera.
Nuo masks are not only used to ward off evil spirits, but also a kind of art. Each mask has its own story, some are gods, some are monsters, and some are historical figures. Wearing these masks, we seem to have traveled to another world and become those magical characters.
Did you know that making a Nuo mask is not an easy task? First, you have to choose the right wood, usually paulownia or cypress. Then, you have to carve different expressions and features according to different characters. Finally, you have to color it, and each color has a specific meaning. Red represents loyalty, black represents integrity, and white represents treachery. When I see a mask, I can guess what character it represents. This is a skill I have honed over the years!
But to be honest, I was still shocked when I saw the Nuo masks in Black Myth: Wukong. The masks in the game not only retain traditional features, but also add many modern elements. For example, the mask of the boss called "Demon King" combines traditional Nuo masks with a sense of technology, which is absolutely amazing! I really want to give a thumbs up to the designer, this is called inheritance and innovation!
At this point, I have to mention that many young people today do not understand Nuo culture, and are even a little afraid of it. In fact, although Nuo masks look scary, the cultural connotations behind them are very rich. Each mask represents a spirit and a belief. For example, the common "Judge" mask represents fairness and integrity. Another example is the "Zhong Kui" mask, which symbolizes the power to exorcise evil spirits.
I remember when I was a kid, every time I saw Nuo opera performances in the village, I would hide behind adults and watch secretly. Those colorful masks and those strange movements made me scared and curious. Slowly, I began to understand the stories behind each mask, began to learn how to make masks, and even participated in Nuo opera performances. Now think about it, this may be the beginning of my love for Nuo culture.
To be honest, I am a little proud to see that Black Myth: Wukong has brought Nuo culture to the world stage. Just think about it, a culture that has existed for thousands of years has now been given new life through a new form like a game. Isn't this the best way to pass on culture?
However, I am also a little worried. After all, the game is a game, and it can only show a small part of the Nuo culture. I am afraid that everyone only sees the excitement on the surface, but ignores the profound cultural connotation behind it. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to popularize the knowledge of Nuo culture.
First of all, Nuo is not just a performance, it is also a ritual. In ancient times, people used Nuo rituals to pray for blessings and exorcise evil spirits, and to express their reverence for the gods. Nuo rituals are held at certain times of the year, such as the Spring Festival and Qingming Festival. This tradition has been preserved to this day in some places.
Secondly, the production of Nuo masks is a big deal. Different places have different production techniques. For example, the Nuo masks here are said to have "eighteen processes". From material selection to carving, and then to coloring, every step is very particular. A good Nuo mask should not only be realistic, but also be able to show the character's personality characteristics.
Furthermore, the performance of Nuo opera is also very particular. Each character has fixed movements and lines, which have been passed down for hundreds or even thousands of years. Performers need long-term training to grasp the charm of each character.
At this point, I suddenly thought of an interesting point. Have you noticed that the combat system in Black Myth: Wukong is actually similar to the performance of Nuo Opera? Every move in the game is like a fixed action in Nuo Opera. And isn't the combo in the game like a complete performance in Nuo Opera?
Thinking of this, I can't help but sigh that modern technology is really amazing. It can not only present ancient culture in a new way, but also let more people understand and like this culture. I suddenly thought that maybe I should learn how to play games. Who knows, maybe one day I can see the Nuo mask I made in the game!
However, I still hope that everyone can truly understand the Nuo culture. Games are fun, but if you have the chance, you might as well go and see a real Nuo opera performance in person. Believe me, when you stand in front of the stage, listen to the sound of gongs and drums, and look at those lifelike masks, you will feel a shock that cannot be described in words.
Finally, I want to say that although Nuo culture is ancient, it is not static. Just as "Black Myth: Wukong" has injected new life into Nuo masks, each of us can contribute to traditional culture. Whether it is creation, performance, or appreciation, as long as we feel it with our hearts, Nuo culture will continue to thrive.
