Face painting is often associated with tribal cultures. However, face painting has had a number of uses in a variety of cultures from ancient times to the present.
Tribal Face Painting
The motives for tribal face painting among Native American, African and South American tribes can be practical or ceremonial. Face paint may be used for camouflage, for ritual purposes or as a mark of status.
Color Significance
Colors have special significance in Native American face painting. Red is the color of war, while black, surprisingly, is the color of living, used during war preparations.
Theater
White-faced clown makeup is thought to date back to ancient Greek theater, before theatrical lighting, where white paint with black highlights made the clown's features stand out. In Chinese opera, the actor's facial paintings give the audience information about the characters, and in Kathakali (India) dance-drama, face painting evokes an atmosphere of the supernatural.
Cosmetics
The decorative art of modern cosmetics used by Western women highlights gender and beauty and expresses personality. Geisha makeup is a highly dramatic version of cosmetic face painting, with crimson-painted bee-stung lips and white face, eyes and eyebrows lined in black and crimson.
Other Modern Uses
Modern uses are both practical and festive. Sports paint on athlete's faces reduces sun glare, while the painting of children's faces at fairs is a common amusement.
