Crossdressing in Peking Opera: Sexism or Freedom?

Women characters are pivotal to Peking Opera. On a Peking Opera stage, these female characters are often played by men. Some argue that one could often see a miniature of the society during a point in history through its art. In Peking Opera, the changing ideals of gender are conveyed through its changing practices as the political and socio-economic ideas are altered throughout ancient China. In parallel to those practices in ancient China, feminist aestheticians today are more and more drawn to topics like cross-dressing, gender fluidity, and the empowerment of women in art. Although many scholars have examined the practice of cross-dressing in Ancient Rome, Shakespearean theatre, and other forms of cross-dressing performances in history, this practice in Peking Opera does not have enough attention from gender studies scholars. Through this paper, the author hopes to address the appeal towards feminist aesthetics within the cross-dressing of Peking Opera. Some of these ancient Chinese ideals are much more progressive in comparison to those observed in China today; this not only addresses the regressive changes in China but also suggests that many traditional gender ideals werent traditional or natural at the beginning. This paper will provide more insight towards both feminist aesthetics and art which pushes progressive gender ideals. In addition, the author hopes this paper will draw more attention towards the implications of cross-dressing in other ancient cultures towards gender-fluidity and crossdressing today.