Chinese Cabinet Antique w/Painted Opera masks

In Beijing (Peking) Opera,  (lianpu) colors are of great importance in revealing the age, profession and personality of a character.  Originally, only three colors were used -- red, white and black -- each with its own symbolic meaning.

Red :  the color of loyalty, integrity and courage;

Black: suggests a serious and taciturn disposition, including strength and roughness;

White: reveals a crafty and suspicious character.

Later, other colors were gradually incorporated,

Purple - the symbol of solemnity, serenity and a sense of justice;

Yellow: representing intelligence and calculation or bravery when used in warrior roles;

Blue: shows uprightness and stubbornness;

Green: indicates bravery and irascibility; and gold and silver are sometimes used on the faces of immortals, demons and monsters.

Different colors can also distinguish nobility from the common folk, goodness from evil or loyalty from treachery.