Research on some early works of Chinese style animation

For my major project, I want to bring something from Chinese style animation. There are several early works of Chinese animation.

There are mainly 2 kinds of animation in early time. One is Chinese ink painting style animation; one is a little bit modern style. Compare with Japanese and American style, Chinese animation is not known by people. But both styles are special and unique.


The most obvious feature in Chinese style animation is non-realistic and symbolic. Each character has special symbol, such as Facial Makeup of Beijing Opera, geometric shape. The animation is always Exaggerated, or dramatic. There may a lot of colours, but always keep low contrast. The colour scheme is dim, the scene is blurred. The sounds are interesting, in some scenes, the character will move with the rhythm of the music, like dancing, but actually it is part of the animation. One thing is notice is symmetrical elements.
In the animation , the people create by the goddess appear absolutely symmetrical.

The lotus halo behind Nezha in , is also enlarge symmetrically.


I think it reflects the patterns and totem on Chinese pottery. Symmetrical pattern is kind of represents an ancient Chinese thought: harmony and everything should abide by the rules. One good example is the yin-yang pattern.