Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Masquerade Masks And Their Time Honored Significance

By Jackie Cottern

A band of people in masquerade masks can be a little intimidating at first, especially if you've seen some of the horror flicks that bring out the masquerade like a common ghost. Yes there is a rich and deep history in the masks that has spread throughout the world to create one of the oldest traditions still celebrated today.

The Renaissance period in Italy can actually be attributed with the original masquerade mask. The design of the mask is specifically for making it difficult to determine one's identity. Those who were of wealth, class, or nobility wore these masks just for that purpose. This meant that attendance of the party was all that was necessary to be able to dance with whomever you chose. It helped to encourage flirting and fun at least for the period of the party.

This tradition traveled through Europe and was even part of early Colonial America. While some reveled in the anonymity of the opportunity, others felt that it should be outlawed due to the mixing of classes. Commoners had no place dancing with nobility and who knew what "lust" this could bring about. The objections were noted but not successful and the tradition carried on.

While we no longer have droves of mask makers to provide us with the most intricate of masks, we do have a constant need to recreate traditions of the past. Mask makers often use their skills as a hobby or as a small side business these days.

Masquerade masks come in various forms, decorative features, and even sizes. For instance the half mask will effectively cover your eyes and a good portion of your nose but its coverage stops there leaving it potentially possible to identify you. A full mask provides great coverage and covers the entire front of the face. Often, it hangs down some.

The head mask covers front and back while showing off some of the finer detailing that these masks have to offer. Stick masks are not adequate for keeping your face covered but they are handy to have if you're not really keen on a mask attached to your face. Not everyone likes the feel of a mask against the face, and a stick mask can be a handy and quick solution.

Mardi Gras, private parties, and New Year's Eve are the three most commonly accepted time for masquerade masks. If you've never been to a party like this before, you should definitely try it at least once in your life. You can even ask that a specific mask be rendered just for you as a special order to keep your look all to yourself.

About the Author:

0 comments:

Post a Comment