According to The Annals of Chinese Shadow Puppetry, China's shadow play tradition is divided into four major schools—Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Tangshan (Hebei Province)—each with distinctive features. Represented by Luoshan shadow puppetry, the Henan school has danced across the Jianghuai region for a millennium, forming the most vibrant luminous symbol of Henan folk culture and embodying the living folk codes of Central Plains civilization.

Dating back to the Jingyou era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1034–1038), Luoshan shadow puppetry uses cowhide as canvas and knives as brushes, carving the cultural essence of Chu (Hubei), Yu (Henan), and Wan (Anhui) into 12–24 articulated joints. Manipulated by three bamboo rods, the 60-centimeter "Ershui" figures come alive—stroking beards with a light laugh or brandishing swords in battle. A troupe of eight performers masters the art of "voicing eternity through one tongue," animating legends like The Investiture of the Gods in southern Henan dialect. This artistry stands as a classic emblem of Henan folk culture: "boundless worlds upon a palm-sized stage."

As tradition converges with modernity, this ancient art—rooted deep in Henan folk culture—is being revitalized. Master artist Cai Zhengxiang reimagines contemporary narratives through Zhong Kui Slays the Plague Demon. Young innovators stream puppetry performances online, while "intangible heritage in schools" programs let children dance puppets at their fingertips. From UNESCO’s heritage lists to global "Tea and Harmony" stages, Henan shadow puppetry uses cowhide as its medium, allowing the world to witness—through this beam of light—the enduring vitality of Henan folk culture.

A single lamp, a sheet of leather, and a pair of skilled hands—enacting sagas across millennia. This thousand-year beam of light shines not only as a brilliant spark of Henan folk culture but also illuminates a new path for traditional civilization.

Web editors: Shen Jianqi, Li Siyao