What do you associate with the mask?

Question

Even though today the mask is often evoked for dissimulation and deceit, it is interesting to see that it also conveys very different meanings according the different societies as well as different periods of human history.

In the West, the mask has often been used to veil the true identity of a person: hence the use of it during the carnival where people from different social ladders could mingle and do things that – had their identity been revealed – would cause their disgrace. Another interesting example of this can be found in Ancient Rome: the mask, called “persona”, was the social mask needed in order to shield the individual from society.

In the other hand, in Greece as well as in Japan, the mask is not conceived for veiling the identity but rather to replace it. Indeed, masks are used in theater in order to create the catharsis in the public – meaning : to waken in us the deepest and truest emotions.

Hence the ambiguity of the mask – from shield to mirror of truth.
Now you take the floor: what do you associate with the mask?

Answer 1

When I think of my own personal interests in masks my attention shifts to some of the strange funerary customs of the ancients. For example the jade death mask of Lord Pacal one time ruler of the ancient Messo American city of Palenque. And the solid gold death mask of the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankamun. Was it in the nature of the great men of antiquity to not want the nakedness of their death looked upon by others, or is there a deeper meaning, perhaps the preservation of their identity is required to sustain immortality in the universal mind, and the mask somehow accomplishes this. At present there are of course no answers to these questions, just mysteries. The universality of masks in life and death is strange to say the least, when we are told that these isolated groups of people had no contact with one another, the mystery is raised to yet another level.

I mostly regard the mask, as a desire deep in the mind to display an aspect of the self which would otherwise not be possible, the revealing of aspects of the alter ego. They often display a strength that is not present ordinarily in the wearer, or some times a timidness that is not characteristic in their everyday life. as you say 'the ambiguity of the mask – from shield to mirror of truth'. It would be as necessary for the mask, to obey the law of polarity,as all other things do. It is interesting to think about.

Answer 2

Most masks to me are very decorative. They are used for a variety of purposes, and are, as you mentioned associated with a lot of ambiguity tothe extent that they can be used for either a good purpose or a bad one. They are undoubtedly used to conceal the identity of the wearer, often for purposes of drama or entertainment, even in Halloween. They are used at masquerade balls and Mardi Gras celebrations for entertainment puroses and amusement. In the film adaptation of 'Romeo and Juliet', they presumably are used so that people do not know who their dance partner is. African masks also were intentionally unrealistic in order to conceal the identity of the wearer when confronting a supernatural lpower. Often masks are accompanied by motion, music, dances and costumes, as they are in African tribal religious rituals.



For the most part, my associations with masks are postive. Although they may be used to conceal the identity of an assailant or thief, it is useful to remember that many ofthese people use stockings or balaclavas to conceal their faces rather than decorative masks. I think that one of the worst kinds of masks used for an evil purpose is no visible and tangible mask in itself, but a relatively normal face with a phony pretence. When people wear masks, they are acting in an open kind of way. A mask thus can be a tangible item or a metaphorr.

Answer 3

The mask is used in Tibetan Buddhism during the 'Lama dances' to portray deities. The Lama takes on the persona of the deity. It does not replace the identity as you mentioned in Greece and Japan but 'becomes' the wearer.

Answer 4

When I consider of the LR I see a bandana round his neck, and a white hat. I consider the what hat in distinct is lovely predominant. "White hat" way "well man." This was once a key visible cue for a man who runs round in a masks. Without the white hat, everybody again within the 50s might had been much more likely to consider black masks = dangerous man.

Answer 5

Theater, and as Shakespeare wrote, the world as stage. Few are without some mask they wear all the time or just sometimes, most have an image that changes, dependent on audience or situation. I admire people who wear their mask almost invisibly but they are rare.

Answer 6

fun, frivolity, mischievous fun. It reminds me of Carnival and the romantic idea of kings mixing with paupers on one night only. Putting on a mask allows you to be anything you want and not ne accountable for your deeds that evening. Its an escape.

Answer 7

A picture of a person which he portrays to the people.

Answer 8

Besides Jim Carrey, there is 'fun' with a mask and there is deceit with 'one'. (I prefer the 'fun' one.) :)

Answer 9

"what do you associate with the mask".

Simply a question.

WHY??????????????????????.