traditional chinese opera beard made from Yak tail hair. This beard was purchased in Beijing from Liu Lian Sheng who was a singer with the Beijing Opera Co during the 70's. It is one of the costume beards which he used while performing in the Chinese opera. The beard is hand made of the hair from a Yak's tail. The strands of hair are hand knotted around a piece of flexible wire which is formed to fit the face. Different colors and shaped of beards are used to portray different opera characters.