Maskscultural and ceremonial

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

Mask:What exactly does it mean to wear a mask?

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 Custom1 : 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

Symbolism1 : 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 MasksHopi

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. 

Examples of Native American Symbolism

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 DanceButterfly dance

A social dance that is meant to entertain.

African MasksDogon 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 Maskor 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

YorubaAfrican 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 WealthHeron 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 masksThe 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 SymbolismRoseUsed 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') AngelsOne 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. DovesThe 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. DragonsThis 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. LionsThe 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.PhoenixesThe 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 SnakesThe 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

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).

Examples of Catholic Symbolism

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 yourown personal symbolism.

Begin by making sketches of theoverall 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 )