masks

This article is about masks fitted on the face as an article of clothing or equipment. See Mask (disambiguation) for other meanings.'' A mask is a piece of material or kit worn on the face. Masks have been used since antiquity for both ceremonyceremonial and practical purposes.The word "mask" came via French ''masque'' and either Italian ''maschera'' or Spanish ''máscara''. Possible ancestors are Latin (not classical) ''mascus'', ''masca'' = "ghost", and Arabic ''maskharah'' = "jester", "man in masquerade ballmasquerade".

Ceremonial uses -

In ritual, social and religious functions, where participants wear them to represent spiritual or legendary figures. In some cultures it is also believed that the wearing of a mask will allow the wearer to take on the attributes of that mask's representation; i.e., a leopard-mask will induce the wearer to become leopard-like.

In Mexico and Central America, most towns have both a Christian name and an indigenous name, for example, Santiago Tianguistenco, or Santa Maria Axixitla. All Christian saints have a specific day in the year dedicated to them, and each town typically has a festival on that day, involving a combination of Christian and indigenous tradition. These festivals frequently include parades and street theatre that act out a story. The masks and costumes from these festivals have become collectors items. A mask used in such a festival is known as having been "danzada" or "danced." These hand-made, painted masks are typically made from wood and may use rope, animal horns or teeth, or rubber from tire inner tubes.

In Africa, especially West Africa, masks also play an important role in traditional ceremonies and theatrical dances. All African masks fall into one of four categories: the ancestor spirit, the mythological hero, the combination of ancestor and hero, and the animal spirit.

Entertainment -

In theatre plays. Use of masks in the dramatic plays in Ancient Greece evolved from the ceremonial purpose. Masks are also a defining characteristic of the Noh theatre of Japan. Some of the masks used in the Noh theatre display irc.atr.jp - illusory facial expressions. The English word "person" came from a Latin word for a theatrical mask: ''per-sona'' = "through-sound" = "what the actor's voice comes through". The Ancient Greek word ''prosōpon'' = "face" originally meant "in front of the face", i.e. "theatrical mask".

To provide an aura of mystery with professional wrestlers, particularly in Lucha libre Mexico, as well as entertainers like the Unknown Comic, who always wore a paper bag over his head.

As a part of carnival celebrations in some parts of the world; Venice is most famous for this.

As part of the costume of a particular personage like Harlequin or a modern comic book superhero.

Latex masks are used in cinema as part of elaborate character makeup.

Here also may be included masks worn at masquerade balls.

To stop the wearer from being recognized -

Criminals often use masks to avoid identification when they commit crimecrimes. In many jurisidictions, it is an additional criminal offense to wear a mask while committing a crime; it is also often a crime to wear a mask at public assemblyassemblies and demonstrationdemonstrations.

Occasionally a witness for the prosecution appears in court in a mask to avoid being recognized by associates of the accused.

Participants in a black bloc at protestprotests often wear masks, usually kerchiefbandannas, to avoid recognition, and to protect against any riot control agentriot control agents that may potentially be used.

Protective - Protective masks have these functions:

Providing a supply of breathable air or other oxygen-containing gas.

Protecting the face against flying objects or dangerous environments, while allowing vision.Many masks have both functions.
This category merges into the categories of goggles and protective helmets and visors.
Here are included:

A cloth tied over the mouth and nose as a dust filter.

Filter masks.

Bondage Masks.

Surgical masks.

Gas masks.

The familiar eyes-and-nose diving mask.

Breathing masks connected to some SCBAindustrial breathing sets. These are usually fullface.

Full face diving maskBreathing masks connected to some scubaunderwater breathing sets. These are usually fullface. See :Image:3cdbas on beach.jpgthis link and :Image:Rebr rn parts labelled.jpgthis link for examples.

Oxygen masks worn by high-altitude pilots.

Oxygen masks used as part of medical oxygen resuscitation kit.

Anaesthetic masks used in surgery in hospitals.

CPR masks used in CPRCardiopulminary Resuscitation

Sport masks such as fencing masks or ice hockey and American football goalie maskgoalkeeper's masks.

Ski masks.

arc weldingWelder's masks.

The faceplates of spacesuit helmets.Of masks that supply breathable air, some also cover the eyes (full-face); and some only cover the mouth and nose, and the wearer must also wear goggles.

Punitive -

a 'shameful' mask (''Schandenmaske'' in German) is devised for public humiliation; a popular reduced form are donkey ears for a bad ('dumb') pupil or student

particularly uncomfortable types, such as an iron mask, are fit as devices for torture or corporal punishment

Other types -

A "life mask" is a plaster cast of a face, used as a model for making a painting or sculpture.

*A "death mask" is the same but taken from the face of a recently dead model. Death masks were very popular in the Western World during the 18th and 19th century.Both methods can preserve a realistic three-dimensional portrait.

A ''facial mask'' (or facial in short) is a temporary mask, not solid, used in cosmetics or therapy for skin treatment

External links -

boheme-magazine.net - The Secret of Masks

museedumasque.be - International Mask and Carnival Museum of Binche

irc.atr.jp - The Noh Mask Effect: A Facial Expression Illusion

See also -

Balaclava

blindfold

Chicken suit

headgear

hood (headgear)hood

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Halloweengoed, clothes and halloween decorations
Online shop for halloween clothes, decoration and party supplies.Pumpkins , hats, wigs, scene setters spiders, etc. Feestartikelen en feestkleding voor halloween.
http://www.halloweengoed.nl/

Latin American Folk Art
Important folk art from Mexico, Bolivia, Peru and Guatemala. Site includes indigenous textiles, lacquerware, masks and exceptional Huichol and Tepehuano yarn paintings.
http://www.latinamericanfolkart.com/

mccuetribalart.com
A private gallery offering traditional Tribal Arts from Africa, Oceania, Asia, the Pacific and the Americas
http://www.mccuetribalart.com/

Don Simmons Sports
Don Simmons Sports Inc. Ice Hockey Goalie Equipment Sales Specialists and manufacturing. All out equipment is handcrafted in Canada. We only sell the latest Professional Series of ice hockey goaltending equipment from manufacturers such as RBK, CCM, KOHO, Sherwood, Louisville, Itech, Olie, Eagle, DR, Crouch
http://www.donsimmons.com

Primitive art gallery
Online French Gallery showing thousands of rare african pieces. Masks, statues, idols, clothes, jewels, weapons are coming from more than 150hno groups in Africa.
http://www.arts-primitifs.com

www.sujaro.com
The premiere destination in the United States for fine African art, furniture, and interior design, with galleries in San Francisco and Half Moon Bay
http://www.sujaro.com/

Venice Atelier: historical costumes for sale and rent from venice carnival
venice atelier is a workshop of historical theatre costumes for sale and rent, handmade masks for venice carnival, wedding in costume, special events in venice, we organize your party inside venetian palaces
http://www.veniceatelier.com/

Mask Making Studio
We are the home of Master Mask Maker, Jeff Semmerling. We show his masks, and he teaches mask making classes here.
http://www.insideoutarts.us/

Traveller in Black
Made-to-measure hard and soft leather armour, chain mail, scabbards, leather costume, bodices, armoured skirts, belts, masks, jewellery and other accessories for re-enactors, role-players, LARPers and the martial arts.
http://tinb.co.uk/

Ethnoladen - African and asian handicrafts
African and asian handicrafts
http://www.ethnoladen.de

Milwaukee Public Museum
One of the premier natural history and science facilities, the museum is world-renowned for its exhibits, collections, ongoing scientific research and educational programs. Located at 800 West Wells Street.
http://www.mpm.edu

Community Learning Network BC
The primary focus of CLN is to help K-12 teachers integrate Information Technology into their classrooms.
http://www.cln.org/

Masks by Morgan
Offers hand sculpted leather products in themes of Gothic, Halloween, Gala, and Mardi Gras.
http://www.masksbymorgan.com/

Brett, Jan
Official site of the author/artist of "The Mitten" and other children's favorites. Includes a list of her books, brief biography, and many activities for parents, teachers, and children.
http://www.janbrett.com/

Florentine Masks
Decorated Italian art masks & wall sculptures.
http://www.maskart.com