Lan Ling was the name of a warrior king in ancient China whose kindly face had the unfortunate effect of failing either to inspire his troops or terrify his enemies. To overcome this handicap, he decided to wear a fierce mask whenever he went into battle. The ruse was so successful that he was deified, and eventually became the patron saint of the theater.
「蘭陵王入陣曲」是中國古代一種有歌舞、有動作、及有化裝的舞曲，演出北齊蘭陵王衝鋒陷陣、勇冠三軍的故事，可以算是中國戲曲的濫觴。