With the rise of natural user interfaces, gesture interaction, as an intuitive non-verbal communication method, has garnered significant attention in human-computer interaction research due to its unique ability to express emotions and convey cultural connotations. Cantonese opera, an important intangible cultural heritage in China, faces challenges in inheritance due to language barriers, high learning thresholds, and limited appeal. Existing research primarily focuses on technical implementation, often neglecting the user’s emotional experience. This study combines emotion quantification methods and Gesture Elicitation Studies, utilizing professional Cantonese opera performance materials to design an emotional mid-air gesture interaction prototype. This prototype retains the characteristics of intangible cultural heritage while aligning with public cognitive logic, aiming to lower the learning threshold for Cantonese opera and enhance users’ cultural understanding and participation by improving their emotional experience. Results indicate that participants preferred designing gestures expressing medium to high levels of pleasure, arousal, and dominance, consistent with the positive emotions conveyed in Cantonese opera performances.