Masks
cultural and ceremonial
Mask:
What exactly does it mean to wear a
mask?
Definition: : something that serves to conceal or disguise : pretense, cloak
<aware of the masks, facades and defenses people erect to protect themselves
— Kenneth Keniston> b : something that conceals from view.
•Hide
•Transform
•Entertain
Ritual & Ceremonial
1 : a formal ceremony or series of acts that is always performed in the same
way
▪ a religious ritual ▪ an ancient fertility ritual ▪ The priest will perform the ritual.
2. according to religious law <ritual purity>
Social Custom
1 : an action or way of behaving that is usual and traditional among the
people in a particular group or place
▪ tribal/local/family/ancient customs ▪ social customs ▪ an English/Indian
custom
Symbolism
1 : the use of symbols to express or represent ideas or qualities in literature,
art, etc.
▪ The story was filled with religious symbolism.
2 : the particular idea or quality that is expressed by a symbol
▪ What is the symbolism of the lion in the picture? [=what does the lion
symbolize in the picture?]
Native American Masks
Hopi
Examples of Native American Symbolism
Arrows There are many different depictions of arrows. They usually connote direction, force, movement, power
and direction of travel, also, as seen in the bear and deer images below, the pathway of the breath, the life-force
of the animal spirit, called the "heartline"
Circular Feather Arrangements are found on pottery, in masks, prayer fans, dance costumes and on Plains
"war bonnets" They are also used in decoration on buffalo hide "counts", or story depictions in paint recounting
war honors, times of historic contact and other important periods of time. In a circular arrangement, they are
related to the sun, and therefore, to the Creator.
Eagle, the master of the sky, is considered a carrier of prayers. Many Indian Nations honor this bird as
possessing courage, wisdom, and a special connection to the creator. This is often confused with the
"thunderbird" image concept. Eagle is also a Directional Protector(the Sky) spirit, and an image associated with
spirits and visions.
The Sun, giver of life, warmth, growth, all that is good. This is a style of showing the sun as the face of a
kachina mask. Similar styles are seen throughout the Southwestern Indian cultures. May or may not also show
"rays" signifying the four directions.
The Hand, represents the presence of man, his work, his acheivements, his legacy. It also represents the
direction of the creative spirit through a man, as a vessel for the Creators power.
The Hopi masks of the Kachina dancers are a very important part of the
Kachina dances held by the Pueblo tribes. The masks are vastly more
potent than Kachina dolls...the masks are living spirits.
Hopi Kachinas are supernatural - they are the spirit essence of everything in
the world. The Pueblo people of the Southwestern states in the U.S. conduct
annual ceremonies for rain, fertility, and well being of their people. There,
masked male dancer/spirits intercede on behalf of mortals to the important
deity they represent. These Kachina dancers teach children about religion
and social values
The Masks...
Masks are the focal point of the Kachina regalia...they are sacred and have
power. They are treated with reverence.
Hopi World Symbol:
This symbol signifies world to the Hopi The "cosmic cross" or four bars represent north, south, east and west
correspond to the outermost points on the horizon where the sun passes through the year; the solstice and
equinox points. The four circles inside the outer outline represent the four nations (the first four tribes of
mankind), which came to the world to keep balance.
Hopi Sun Symbol:
A symbol of creative and natural energy. The supreme god due to the Hopi's dependence upon it for the
growth of corn, and other sustaining crops. The sun symbol represents the heart of the cosmos and deals
with vitality, growth, and passion.
Hopi Spiral Symbol:
This rendition of the Hopi spiral is also common among North, South and Central Native American Indian
tribes. The spiral represents the number of journeys or treks a tribe or nation has made to the four corners of
the earth. Engraved on stones, the spiral suggests an intricate journey made to the Otherworlds on back.
Generally, the spiral represents a broadening of consciousness, which is the destination arrived after a long
journey.
Hopi Kachina Sun Symbol:
Also known as a Tawa kachina, it is a spirit symbolizing of life, growth, strength of spirit, and abundance. The
likeness of this spirit is donned during the solstice ceremony to beckon the sun's return, and begin the
growing season.
Hopi Rattle Mask - Used to pray for abundant crops.
Symbolism: rattle emulates the sound of rain and the aqua color represents
water while the shape of the eyes represent the sun.
Tawa Kachina:
Symbolism: Tawa or sun kachina seen here is a symbol of life, growth,
strength of spirit, and abundance. The feathers around the mask represent
the rays of the sun.
Hopi Ritual Dance
Butterfly dance
A social dance that is meant to entertain.
African Masks
Dogon and Yoruban
Examples of African Symbols
Dogon
Masks
Kananga masks contain geometric
patterns. These masks represent the
first human beings. The Dogon
believe that the Dama dance creates
a bridge into the supernatural world.
Without the Dama dance, the dead
cannot cross over into peace.
Dogon Dance of the Mask
or Dama Dance
Symbolism: This dance represents the bridge from
the living to the dead. According to the Mali/Dogon
customs, the dead cannot crossover to the
supernatural word without this ritual.
Transformation
Yoruba
African mask bearers appearing at funerals are believed to embody the spirit
of the deceased person. These maskers have the power to communicate
with the deceased, Yoruba people strongly believe that when they die, they
enter the realm of the ancestors or spirit world from where they have
influence and power on earth.
Types of Masks: Yoruba masks are worn by a traditional healer to drive evil
spirits from the possessed person. The arts of the Yoruba are numerous in
form, Beautifully sculptured and or carved art pieces are placed on shrines
to honor the gods and the ancestors. Varied masking traditions have
resulted in a great diversity of mask forms.
The image of the mounted warrior appears regularly on Epa masks. In
addition to being an image of energy and authority, it embodies memories of
at least three centuries of cavalry warfare in north-central Yoruba.
Egungun is celebrated in festivals (Odun Egungun) and family ritual through the masquerade or custom.
In family situations a family elder or Alagba presides over ancestral rites and may or may not be initiated into the
local Egungun society. But in community settings, Egungun priests and initiates that are trained in ancestral
communication and funeral rites are placed in charge of invoking and bringing out the ancestors. Elaborate
costumes adorn the Egungun masqueraders (dancers), and through drumming and dance, these dancers
become possessed with the spirits of the ancestors.
The Egungun then spiritually clean the community and through exaggerated acting/miming demonstrate both
ethical and amoral behavior that occurred since their last visit, exposing the strengths and weaknesses of a
community with hopes of encouraging behavior more befitting of their descendants.
Chinese Masks
Examples of Chinese Symbolism
Bats Good Luck. 2 Bats together means double good fortune. 5 Bats means The Five Blessings: long life,
wealth, health, virtue, and a natural death
Butterflies With Plum Blossoms symbolizes Long Life and Beauty. With a Cat means wish to live to 70 or 80
years
Bear / Panda Man
Cicada Immortality, Life after Death
Crane Longevity. A Pair of Cranes symbolizes "Long Marriage", as Cranes mate for life.
Cricket Fighting Spirit
Deer Riches
Dove Fidelity
Dragon Male Vigor and Fertility, also the symbol for The Emperor
Duck in Reeds May you do well on your exams
Eagle Strength
Riding an Elephant Happiness
Fish Wealth
Heron with Lotus Flowers May your path be upward
Endless Knot Long Life without Setbacks Lotus Purity
Peacock Dignity and Beauty Phoenix The Five Human Qualities: Virtue, Duty, Correct Behavior, Humanity,
Reliability Pine Trees Longevity, Steadfastness, and Self-Discipline
Quail Courage Sheep Yang...The Male Principle
Snake The Woman
Tiger Courage and Bravery
Tortoise Longevity & Immortal
Chinese New Year Dragon Mask
Exorcising masks originated from ancient sacrificial rituals in the Central Plains. The rituals were
initially held to drive away ghosts and evils. Later, part of the rituals was evolved into local operas in
praise of military deeds and high-ranking officers, becoming popular among the army troops. About
1,000 years ago, exorcising masks, combined with the totem worshipping among ethnic minority
groups in the south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and traditional sacrificial rituals, formed
a mask culture of extensive contents. Ethnic minorities currently using exorcising masks include the
Miao, Tujia, Yao, Zhuang, Dong, Shui, Buyi and Maonan etc.
Chinese Exorcising Mask
Chinese Opera Masks
Chinese opera masks are painted on to the faces of the
performers. The masks seek to describe the character that
each performer is meant to play in the performance. Some are
applied by professional make-up artists, but mostly by the
actors themselves. There are all sorts of combinations of
design and colour and often they are very beautiful report Will
and Guy.
Here we provide a guide to the meaning and significance of the
colours that can be seen on Chinese opera masks:
•
Red colour represents loyalty; courage; righteousness.
• Black colour represents outspokenness;
straightforwardness; fairness and justice as well as sincerity.
• White colour represents cunningness; craftiness;
treacherousness.
• Blue is characterised as stubborn, intractable and
someone who shows valour.
•
A green mask wearer might also be brave and brutal.
• Wearers of a purple mask are thought to be loyal, honest
and upright citizens.
• Green or Blue colours can also represent characters who
are boorish; rude; crude.
The colours of the masks and the type of designs used help us
to comprehend and understand the characters in the Chinese
opera much better. Occasionally, just by looking at the design
used, it can be seen that this is the hero in the opera or the
villain, whether this is a general or an ordinary soldier, whether
the character is aggressive or friendly.
Chinese Opera Face Changing
Disguise
South American
Masks
Examples of Aztec Symbolism
Eagle =
Strength
Aztec
Ouroboros
(Dragon eating
its own tail)=
Cycle of Birth
and Death
The Skull of the Smoking Mirror
This mask is believed to represent
the god Tezcatlipoca, one of the
Aztec creator gods. He was also
the god of rulers, warriors and
sorcerers. His name can be
translated as ‘Smoking Mirror’. In
fact, in many depictions during the
Postclassic period (A.D.
900/1000-1521) his foot is
replaced by a mirror
Aztec masks were used as ornaments, and
were sometimes worn as part of a ritual, or
in death as a death mask. They usually
represented one god or another, and the Aztecs
did have many gods. Like the artistry and
materials, the Aztecs worshiped gods collected
from a variety of cultures. A common type of
mask would have snakes on it, a representation
of the god Quetzalcoatl or perhaps Tlaloc. The
masks generally then were used for worship of
the gods, whether by being displayed in a
temple or worn by a priest.
Mexican Day of the Dead masks
The holiday combines elements of Catholicism with ancient Aztec symbolism, and
honors the spirits of departed ancestors and loved ones who are believed to return to
earth to join in the celebrations.
Examples of Western Symbolism
Rose
Used to symbolize the Virgin Mary and, before her, Venus, the pricking of its barbs being likened to the wounds of
love. The association still survives in the common meaning of a bunch of roses ('I love you')
Angels
One undeniable aspect of all Christian, Muslim and Jewish myth and theology are angels. Angels have found a
unique representation in realms of literature. Often exposed to various interpretations, an angel is generally depicted
as divine messenger of God, but has also found a unique representation in Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’ as the fallible
Satan and his fallen angels.
Doves
The dove, deemed as the universal representation of peace, has played an important role in literature. Mythologically
referred to as an embodiment of the divine, the symbol of the dove also refers to ‘Noah’s Ark’, ‘The Holy Spirit’,
Christian weddings and more. Other symbols of peace are olive branches, the rainbow, the globe, and the Egyptian
ankh.
Dragons
This mythical fire-breathing monster often associated with hostile evil forces and a representation of Satan, have
been widely acknowledged as a destroying force in mythology and art.
Lions
The lion, the king of beasts, has been used to represent dominion, bravery, ferocity, power and the sun. The lion has
widely featured as a mythical symbol in occult science and has been a revered symbol of both the Christians and the
pagans.
Phoenixes
The phoenix, a mythical firebird, with its legendary status of being able to rise from its own ashes, has been widely
accepted as the symbol of resurrection, immortality and mystical rebirth. Often linked with sun gods and fire, the
phoenix has even found appreciation by Voltaire and Homer in literature!
Serpents
Or
Snakes
The serpent or snake is probably one of the oldest and most overused symbols with both positive and negative
connotation. While snake has found a positive reference in most pagan literature and has been used to
symbolize rain and fertility, life force and vitality, it has often been treated as an embodiment of satan, evil,
temptation, destruction, vengeance and sin in Christian and Jewish literature.
Some Other Examples
•
Symbols referring to damnation: Fire, flames, hot temperatures and heat
• Symbols referring to death or endings: Gravestones, cemeteries, grim reaper, day of the dead, skulls,
candle blowing out, coffins, ringing of the bell, cross bones
• Symbols referring to reincarnation: Phoenix rising from flames, crosses, rainbows, passing storms, dawn,
sunrise, broken chains
•
Symbols referring to love: Apple, cupid, harp, heart, shell, triangle, maple leaf
•
Symbols referring to salvation: Crosses, angels, haloes, clouds, churches
•
Symbols referring to knowledge: A book, a candle
Examples of Catholic Symbolism
The letters X and P are often used as another symbol for "Christ". The
first two letters of Christ's name in Greek are X and P. In the Greek
alphabet X equals CH and P equals R.
Also known as the CHi-RHO cross
The Greek word for fish is ICHTHUS. This
is an acronym for Jesus. Iesous CHristos
THeou Uios Soter - this translates as
"Jesus Christ, Son of God , Saviour."
Christ also referred to his apostles as
"Fishers of Men" while the early Christian
fathers called the faithful pisculi (fish).
The dove is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. When
Christ was baptised by John the Baptist, a dove
descended on him (Matthew 3:16 and Mark 1:10).
The dove is sometimes depicted with an olive
branch in its mouth, as a symbol of peace.
One of the most important symbols of Christ is the
Lamb. Christ as the Lamb of God is mentioned in John
1:35-36 and revelation 5:6-14 and in the words of the
Mass.
The whiteness of the Lamb symbolises innocence and
purity. Lambs are often associated with scrifice in the
Old Testament. Christ, the sacrificial lamb, died for the
sins of humanity.
The lamb is sometimes portrayed with a flag, symbolic
of Christ's victory over death in his Resurrection.
The symbolism of color in the Catholic Church:
In Ordinary Time, the designated color is green. This is to symbolize our hope and faith in Christ in
the everyday of our lives.
Lent bears the color purple, which represents repentance, and true sorrow for sin.
Easter Season bears the color white, as the world in triumph proclaims the resurrection of Christ.
Pentecost bears the color red, to represent the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is usually designated the
color red, to symbolize the tongues of fire that came to rest upon each of the apostles.
Advent is designated the color purple, as to signify that we are waiting for our King.
Finally, Christmas Season bears the color white, as to signify the color of purity, as Christ was born
among us as a humble Infant, to be the King of the World.
Each of these colors reflects our worship, as we can further engage in the liturgy of the Church.
Create your own mask using your
own personal symbolism.
Begin by making sketches of the
overall look of your mask.
Prepare to explain the meaning behind your
symbols
and motifs to be included on your mask.
What will the function be for your
mask?
To:
Hide (conceal, disguise)
Transform (become an other-worldly
being who can communicate with
“the other side”)
Entertain ( theatrical )