puppet

A puppet is a figure manipulated by an operator to perform actions, express personality, and tell stories. Puppetry covers a broad range of techniques and materials, including hand puppets, finger puppets, rod puppets, marionettes, shadow puppets, ventriloquist dummies, and other forms. Puppets are used in theatre, film, television, education, and therapy, often alongside voice acting, music, and design.

Puppetry has ancient roots across many cultures. Early forms appear in Egyptian and Mesopotamian artifacts; in Asia, Chinese and Indonesian traditions developed elaborate styles; in Europe, puppetry flourished during medieval and early modern periods. Notable forms include the Japanese Bunraku, where multiple puppeteers operate a large puppet; Europe’s marionette theaters; and the Punch and Judy street show in Britain. The 20th century brought puppets into film and television, expanding their reach in mass media.

Puppetry techniques include marionettes controlled by strings from above; rod puppets with rods attached to limbs; hand puppets worn on the hand; sock puppets, a subset of hand puppets using a sock for the body; and shadow puppets formed from cut silhouettes. Ventriloquist dummies rely on a separate mouth mechanism. Puppetry often combines movement with voice, music, and timing.

Puppetry serves entertainment, ritual, education, and social commentary. Traditional forms include Bunraku, Punch and Judy, Wayang kulit, and Karagöz. In contemporary practice, puppetry appears in theatre companies, film and television productions, festivals, and therapeutic programs.

Materials range from wood and fabric to latex, foam, and clay. Puppetry requires maintenance and safe handling, especially for children’s performances. Modern developments include digital puppetry, real-time motion capture, and animatronics, linking live performance with screen media.