COSPLAY is the abbreviation of English costume drama, written as "コスプレ" in Japanese. Generally refers to the use of clothing, jewelry, props and makeup to play the role of animation works and games. People who play COSPLAY are generally called COSPLAYER. In the historical tradition of mankind, Cosplay is mainly used to interpret myths and legends, folk anecdotes, holiday stories, literary and artistic works, philosophical theories, ancestor worship plots, exciting plots, eccentric ambitions and spiritual fantasies. And vividly present the characters and contents to be interpreted with corresponding costumes, props and plots.

For example, the bard, who was active in the 8th century BC, played other people's roles in costumes of Greek sacrificial ceremonies, followed by two great Greek epics, Iliad and Odyssey. The former became the prophet and prescient of later generations, and successfully explained the existence of apostles, while the latter, like the originator of modern stage plays, performed some heroic deeds in a superb way.

Gypsies, a nomadic people in Europe, can also be said to be the earliest costume performers. Whenever they pass by, in order to survive, they get bread and water by performing myths and legends, folk anecdotes and singing, among which costumes and props for various performances are naturally indispensable equipment.

In masquerade balls, Halloween parades, New Year parades, National Day parades or special ceremonies held anytime and anywhere, many people dress up as characters of holiday stories or various mascots, showing a strong dress culture.

The Chinese ancestors in the East also have a long history of costume culture. Dragon dance ceremony with a thousand-year tradition can be said to be the most representative activity. At that time, dragon dancing often had two meanings One is to pray for heaven to send nectar to farmland, and the other is to pray for a bumper harvest and good luck. Before this activity, we should first select a number of young men with strong physique and powerful posture, and let them wear yellow and red clothes representing happiness (sometimes even rust patterns on clothes when performing for court nobles). According to the pre-programmed dance movements, they will form one or more dragon dance teams and perform various square patterns accompanied by gongs and drums. In the17th century (that is, in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties), lion dance, phoenix dance and dragon dance were all bred from dragon dance, which was closely related to dressing up some characters with costumes.

China Tibetan Opera, the hero in Tibetan folk mythology, Buddhism in Indian Buddhism, and the activities of Japanese Shinto temples to worship mountain gods, costumes, props and performances are all important components of these activities.