This shadow puppet represents a barbarian king. It has a red "Hua Face" with high forehead, big rounded nose, opened mouth and white beard. The headdress designed with two peacock feathers at the top and four pennants carried at the back. The garment is in "kao" in barbaric style, designed with different patterns.Shadow puppetry originated during the Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) when Emperor Wu of Han devastated by the death of one of his concubines summoned his court officers to bring his beloved back to life. The officers made a shape of the concubine using donkey leather. Using an oil lamp, they made her shadow move, bringing her back to life. Shadow theatre have been produced as early as the Song dynasty (960-1279) when holidays were marked by the presentation of many shadow plays. During the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) shadow troupes played in Beijng.
