Mayan Wooden Masks as Decor

March 3, 2016

Mexico's creative traditional folk art is a true celebration of rich color and vibrant beauty. Of all the different art forms, the hand carved wooden masks best reflect the Mexican culture and pride of the indigenous people. Carved wooden masks that portray the devil, ancient deities, jungle animals, or immortalize deceased individuals were regularly used in religious and cultural dances, as well as during war. Mayan masks had a wide variety of uses, and the importance of the masks dictated how intricate the designs on various masks were.

We know that some masks were used in wedding ceremonies, and there were masks made to commemorate many births and deaths. Not all Mayan masks were for such profound purposes, however. The Mayan's also used masks for entertainment as well. The uses of masks by the Mayan people were as varied as the style of the masks themselves..

It is well known that the Mayans, who used no metal tools, were able to create art from very dense materials such as jade. The most sacred of ritualistic masks were made out of jade and delicate forms of mosaics. Most of the Mayan masks were symbols of their gods. Some masks were used for ceremonies, such as those worn by the Shaman. Many Shamans wore four kinds of mask, but others wore eight of them. Each of these masks represented a spirit. The masks may be human in form, but the design is attributed to personal spirits such as sharks, etc. Thus, the masks were a physical method of representing the spirit world.

It is also clear that many of these masks were used to intimidate their enemies, like those that have faces that look like snakes and similar kinds of animals. Those who believed in the powers of this mask because of its "spirit", believed that it protected the wearer through spiritual power.

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