Secrets of Masks

Masks are used to disguise, confuse, protect, characterize, and give status. They are simple to elaborate and made from all range of materials from common items to precious jewels.

They appear worldwide on young and old faces.

Masks are used in all aspects of arts related susch as:

1. Drama
2. Film
3. Dance or
4. As an Exhibit of Art

I am particularly interested in Venetian style masks as I visited a lot of stores and conversed with the vendor and artists during my trip to Venice.

The Venician Mask

Another Venician Mask

Masks are worn for many reasons

• Religious and social significance concerned with funeral customs, fertility rites or curing sickness.
• Ritual masks generally depict gods, mythological beings, good and evil spirits, spirits of ancestors and the dead, and animal spirits.
• The wearer is protected against these powers or may be able to petition more effectively.
• If a person puts on a mask representing an animal or evil spirits he can become that being he is imitating.

I am also interested on the different Asian Masks like the following:

Karura, bugaku mask, lacquer and painted wood

African-Asian Herbs

The Sri Lanka Asian Mask

Blue Mask of China