TheearliesttracesofChinesefolkmasks,datingbacktotheprehistoricage,havebeefounditherockpaintingsiMtHuashaofNingmingCounty,GuangZhuangAutonomousRegion,andMtYinshaofInnerMongoliaAutonomousRegion.Besides,humaimagerywearingmaskswasoftethesubjectforarchaiceartheandmuraldecorations.Itheprimitivesocieties,theearlyformsofmaskingwereusuallyconnectedwithmagicpractices,totemworship,musicanddance.Forinstance,asaritetodriveawaypestilenceithe12thmonthoftheancientlunarcalendar,theexorcisingdancewithwoodemasksappearedithelateShangDynasty(c.21st-11thcenturyBC)；exorcisingactivitieswereprevailingandevebecameinstitutionalizedduringthefollowingZhouDynasty(c.11thcentury-256BC),withFangangshiasthechiefexorcist.
