侯喜瑞的净角形象在梅兰芳的三位老婆照片中反复映射宛如艺术中的永恒轮回
侯喜瑞，京剧净角演员，以梅兰芳三位老婆照片中的反复映射为灵感，创造了一系列经典角色。他的艺术生涯始于5岁时母亲去世，父子三人相依为命的凄凉生活，再到9岁进入喜连成科班学习戏曲。在半年时间内，他就学会了秦腔和丑角戏，并师从韩乐卿、罗春友等大师打下坚实的基础。他以《群英会》、《长坂坡》、《阳平关》中曹操、李逵等角色闻名，并且在武功方面也非常出色。
侯喜瑞与黄润甫有着深厚的师徒关系，他曾多次观摩黄老人的表演，并最终被收作徒弟。黄派艺术对他影响深远，使他成为一名高超的花脸演员。后来，他又形成了自己的独特风格，被称为“侯派”。在回族京剧界，他与马连良、雪艳琴并称“回族三杰”。
1917年出科后，侯喜瑞开始参加各种搭班，与吴铁庵、谭小培、刘鸿声等人合作。他还曾与余叔岩、梅兰芳、荀慧生等众多名家合作，在绿叶衬红花中展现了自己的才华。在1949年之后，他受聘于北京戏曲研究所，并在中国戏校教书，为许多学生传授技艺。
1960年，侯喜瑞口述了自己的艺术经验，由张胤德整理出版成了《学戏和演戏》一书。这本书记录了他的一生经历和艺术理念，对后来的京剧发展产生了深远影响。 Hou Xirui's life and artistic career were deeply influenced by the images of Mei Lanfang's three wives, which he repeatedly reflected on in his performances. His artistry began at the age of 5, when his mother passed away and he had to rely on his father for survival. At 9 years old, he entered the Qi Liancheng Academy to study drama. In just half a year, he mastered both Qin opera and clown roles, studying under masters such as Han Leqin and Luo Chunyou.
Hou Xirui was particularly famous for his portrayal of Cao Cao in "Longmen Temple" and Liu Jing in "Jiangnan Dream". He was also known for his martial arts skills, playing roles such as Marshal Qingkang in "Tomb Sweeping Day", Red Beard in "Taking Gold Dust", and Ma Wusheng in "Taking Luoyang".
In 1921, Hou joined Yang Shaobin's Chonglin Theatre troupe and performed alongside Yang Shaobin himself. He also worked with other prominent actors like Yu Shunchen from Yujingbao Theatre troupe and Aiqing Theatre troupe led by Aijun Xu.
After 1949, Hou became a professor at Beijing Drama Institute (now China National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts) where he taught many students who later became renowned actors themselves.
Hou published an autobiography titled 'Learning Acting & Performing' (Xue Xi Yu Wu) edited by Zhang Yin De that detailed his experiences as an actor. This book is now considered a classic work on acting techniques influencing generations of performers after him.
Throughout his life Hou never sought fame or fortune but remained humble always striving to improve himself constantly seeking guidance from others even into old age while maintaining a high level reputation among critics & audiences alike!
