The History of Masks

The history of masks stems from a variety of cultures, religions and traditions from all around the world. In a basic essence the concept of a mask is to allow someone to become someone else or represent something/someone else. This could be sociological or physiological such as an emotion like sad or happy or a social or religious entity or concept such as God or Spirits. In the following studies and findings I am going to discuss the origins of mask making, their meanings and how they are still a part of fictional and factual cultures of modern society.

Egypt ( c. 2040-1786 BC) 

The ancient Egyptians placed decorated masks with features over the faces of the dead in commemoration and to bespoke honour. The funerary mask served to guide the spirit of the deceased back to its final resting place. They were made of cloth covered with stucco or plaster, which was then painted in bright colours. Differences in social status also influenced what your ‘mask’ was made out of or adorned with, for example if you were in a position of power silver and gold were used. The idea of covering the dead persons face with a mask was to give character and life to the individual even in death which progressed into the future use of masks in entertainment to change and embellish an actor’s features so they could adopt a different persona.

Pharaoh “Tutankhamun”(c. 1350 BC).

Ancient Greece 800 – 146 BC

In Ancient Greek theatre masks were very important in helping the audience understand and follow the narrative. They also helped bring the character closer to the audience. “The actors were so far away from the audience that without the aid of exaggerated costumes and masks. The masks were made of linen or cork, so none have survived. Tragic masks carried mournful or pained expressions, while comic masks were smiling or leering. The shape of the mask amplified the actor's voice, making his words easier for the audience to hear.” [1] They also enabled one actor to

The History of Masks

play multiple characters and many of the masks had different characteristics that distinguished their sex, age and social status. Unique masks were also made to establish certain characters or special events such as the birth of a child or a betrayal in a family. The chorus would also wear the same mask to create unity and uniformity so they could represent a single organism.

MIDDLE AGES 12th to the 16th century

In the middle ages masks in theatre and dramatics slightly changed moving from themes of spirituality and gods to more simpler religious traditions for example good and evil, E.g the devil, daemons, angels and dragons. However the main focus was on the Christian belief of the seven deadly sins. However even though Christianity is predominantly a western religion the idea of good and evil being portrayed in masks on stage stemmed as far as Japan and Korea. For example, the demonic character Hannya in Japan was a popular image of evil and torment in folk-law.

In addition to religion taking a forefront in the use of masks in entertainment, medicine and witchcraft also established their own masks as it was believed they would be able to ward off evil or enable to wearer to propel disease. For example during the largest plague epidemic in the 14th century in the plague doctor was hired by the local governing bodies/council to stand on every street corner and help the people

The History of Masks

suffering from any form of ailment. Each plague doctor was a very specific protective suit that consisted of a heavy fabric overcoat that was waxed, a mask with glass eye openings and a cone nose shaped like a beak to hold scented substances and straw which was believed to ward away and prevent the plague doctor catching anything from their patients.

Plague Doctor Japanese Daemon Mask (Hannya)

RENAISSANCE 15th-century Renaissance

During the 15th century and towards another type of mask emerged in theatre and opera. The renaissance was a theatrical based entertainment that spread through Italy, France, Germany and then moved on to England in the late 18th century. This new type of theatre consisted predominantly of the genres comedy and tragedy. The themes and narratives of the plays often extended from the scripts of Roman comic playwrights from which the term Commedia dell’ Arte was derived in which masked mime artists became extremely popular. It is thought that the popularity of Commedia dell’ Arte gave birth to the masquerade mask which was predominantly used at extravagant dinner parties to conceal the wearers identity and create a sense of mystery and fun. The renaissance mask is still a widely known and hugely popular mask style and is now synonymous of theatre and performance to this very day. For

The History of Masks

example in Venice a carnival is held annually (The Carnival of Venice) since it became prominent during the Renascence period where people attend in a verity of masks that are often representational of characters. Some names include Bauta, Columbia and Medico Della Peste (The Plague Doctor).

Buta Mask

ASIA (Japan China 14th Century)

During the Middle Ages in Europe a different type of masked theatre was being established in Japan called Noh theatre, meaning ‘Accomplishment’ or ‘Performance’. Although Noh Theatre became prominent in the 14th century the style was developed from performances originating in the tenth and eleventh centuries. Traditionally, Noh theatre was selective in who was able to perform as they would need to be highly trained. There for Theatre Company’s and groups mainly consisted of emperors and military leaders. In the early establishment of the ancient art form women were able to act but from 1629 they were banned from the stage and even today Noh companies are generally all male.

There are many main features in the performance and look of the mask, which include;

The masks were brought to life by the skill of the actor wearing them; the slightest tilt of the head could change the facial expression/mood of the character completely.

They were small (covering just the front of the face with slight holes for the eyes, nostrils and mouth), and light as the performers would be wearing them for several hours.

The general mask was carved out of cypress wood which had a pale quality, with additional materials being: clay, lacquer, and cloth.

Noh masks are extremely stylised, however some character masks have more embellishing than others such as: ‘The Monsters’ which unlike The Gods have little emotions and/or embellishments. Only the shite (“Shi-tah”) wore a mask to stylise the persona they were representing, which meant that they would be from one of five principals: elderly person, God,

The History of Masks

female, monster, male. Showing only the most basic of traits meant that the character was to be seen in a ‘faithful’ light.

There were also recurring ‘character masks’ that were named and recurred in many productions. For example;

Ko-omote - Ko-omote was the calm, young woman with traditional Heian beauty. The mask she wore had shaved eyebrows, blackened teeth, and extremely neat hair which at the time was deemed highly beautiful. Age was represented by how far away the eyes of the mask were from each other, the closer together they were, the younger they were.

Hamya - Hamya was a jealous or evil woman that has transformed into a demon. To show the demonic side the mask held pointed horns, metal teeth and eyes. This was also to show the wrath of the character. It was also based off ancient snake masks. Colour was used to show a powerful, evil character. Additionally, the colour red was used to show someone who was perceived to be evil or full of wrath.

Uba - Uba represented the old character and was depicted as a feeble, elderly woman. Uba would carry a broom or rake on stage to signify who she was. Characteristics of the mask would include grey hair and wrinkles which would not only show her age but her experience too.

The History of Masks

Shikarmi - Unlike Hamya and other such characters, Shikami was really the devil; not someone who had been possessed or turned into a demon. The mask was purposely made to scare the audience and had features such as: fangs that were painted gold, a sinister looking mouth, and gold eyes.

Otoko, a noble man, was a male character.

• His mask had light skin and high brows and was used to symbolise princes.

• His character represented a well-known poet, Ariwara No Narihira.

Chiijo was another young male character who up until recently hasn’t had a mask to represent his character.

Present Day (21st century onwards)

Masks have been used in many horror films to conceal the identities of the killer. Notable examples include Jason Voorhees of the Friday the 13th series, ‘Ghostface’ of e Scream series and Michael Myers of the Halloween series. In more recent times mask making is still a recurring feature in entertainment and performance. For example they feature heavily in horror films. The masks in horror films are used to completely distort and change the shape and expression of someone or something’s face so that they appear horrifying and un known to their

The History of Masks

‘victim’ as the idea of the un known and deformed in terrifying to the majority of audiences.

Saw Franchise (Jigsaw)

Hannibal Lecter Trilogy

Halloween Mask ( Michael Myers)

I can there for conclude that the initial concept of character projection and personification has been maintained throughout the evolution of mask making and is still a prominent feature in Theatre and performance art to this day.

The History of Masks

[1] ancientgreece.com/s/Theatre/