The mystery of the ancient mask that protects people on Halloween night

Ancient masks were once considered spiritual shields, helping the living hide from demons on Halloween night – the time when the boundary between yin and yang is most blurred.

Masks at the Celtic festival of Samhain. Before it became Halloween, the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain was the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. People believed that the souls of the dead returned, so they wore masks made of animal skin so that the evil spirits would not recognize them as human. Photo: Pinterest.

Animal masks and their protective meaning. Masks that resemble the heads of bulls, deer, dogs or wolves not only symbolize the power of nature but also have sacred meanings. They help the wearer “transform” into wild creatures, avoiding being disturbed by evil spirits on the night of the transition. Photo: Pinterest.

Ash and charcoal masks – the mark of the sacred fire. After the Samhain bonfires, the Celts used charcoal ash to brush over their faces to create “natural masks”. This action symbolized merging with the spirit world, both camouflage and praying for the sacred fire to protect them during the cold winter. Photo: Pinterest.

The integration of Roman elements. When Roman culture spread to Celtic lands, colorful masks from festivals honoring the goddess Pomona and the god Saturnus were imported. Masks now not only had spiritual purposes, but also became symbols of joy, prosperity and harvest. Photo: Pinterest.

Masks in Christianization. When the Catholic Church imposed “All Saints Day” on Samhain, many old customs were changed. However, people still wore masks to “enact” the souls of the dead, as a form of commemoration – both religious and folk. Photo: Pinterest.

Masks in medieval night processions. In medieval Europe, groups of people dressed as ghosts, angels or demons walked through the village on the night of October 31. The masks were made of cloth, beeswax or elaborately carved wood, symbolizing the cycle of good and evil, life and death. Photo: Pinterest.

The New World Changes. When Irish immigrants brought Halloween customs to America, mask making became simpler. Paper mache, cloth, and later plastic replaced animal skin and wood. Despite the different materials, the meaning of hiding oneself from evil spirits remained. Photo: Pinterest.

Modern Halloween masks – a legacy of ancient fears. Today, from creepy devil masks to movie character images, all are modern versions of ancient rituals. Hidden behind the plastic and paint is still the original message: people put on fear to conquer the darkness in the mysterious night of the season. Photo: Pinterest.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/bi-an-mat-na-co-xua-bao-ve-con-nguoi-dem-halloween-post2149064255.html