“Perfume was first created to mask the stench of foul and offensive odors...
Spices and bold flavorings were created to mask the taste of putrid and rotting meat...
What then was music created for?
Was it to drown out the voices of others, or the voices within ourselves?
I think I know.”
-Emilie Autumn
THE MASK?!?!
Masking Tape?
Facial Mask?
Pantomime Mask?
Masquerade Mask?
or a mask that conceals your face..
A protection mask?
so how many masks are there.. really?
From what I researched and know, a mask typically is an object that is worn on a individual's face, most commonly for face treatment, performance, entertainment, disguise, protection. Masks have been used in other means such as in cultural and ritual, theatrically, functional, fashion and also disguise. Masks also have a psychological meaning in association with disguise which I will share with you, in a psychological point of view. I'm crazy over these psychological things so I really dug deep into this topic.
The Persona.
Psychologist Carl Jung refers this mask to be a 'persona'. The latin word personae means ‘mask’, and was used to describe the masks worn in ancient Greek plays. It is a mental mask that a person wears depending on what situation they are placed in and how they feel they need to act to deal with it. Although it’s described as a mask, by no means is donning a persona considered to be hiding from the truth. A persona takes an important aspect of that person’s true identity and it blends with a social identity to fit in. People tend to naturally become slightly different people based on their surroundings. One can tell the difference by themselves, most of the time. At home, perhaps you're more anti social and quiet. At school, perhaps you are a social butterfly and you like to be around your friends. Imagine if one day it becomes reversed, then you'd socially isolated and detached from everyone in school. Everyone has their own set of persona to help them belong in the world and interact with others, so how could you be sure you don't wear one?
The Shadow
The polar opposite of the persona is the shadow. It represents every thought or feeling in our heads, usually of a vulgar, shameful, or corrupt nature, the shadow is formed when one cannot uphold one's idea of oneself. We reject the shadow because these thoughts take us farther away from this ideal self. Carl Jung called it shadow purposely to represent the duality of the shadow and persona, to hint at the darkness it brings, and to show that the shadow will always exist. You can’t have light with shadows. So how do you live a happy life with a shadow looming around? Carl Jung says you just have to accept your shadow…therefore, accept your darkest thoughts.
~
Have you attempted to "put on a brave face" or "mask your feelings?"
Everyone wears a mask at one point in their lives. It's something inevitable, and its not wrong. We often put a fake smile on our faces and act like nothing is wrong. We hide behind a concerned face, and make people believe we're listening. So..
Why do we wear these mental masks?
Why is it difficult for us to say what we want?
Are the masks imposed on us?
YES, We often wear it for self protection. Masks help us build our own defenses., they give us the power.. or at least the illusion of it at times when we feel powerless. Sometimes we wear a mask to shield ourselves from getting hurt. We've been proverbially attacked countless times from acts of deceit and betrayal. I'm sure we can all relate to that, yes? We fear rejection. We fear someone will make fun of us for what we hold believe in, also in what we think or feel. Desperately, we all try to fit into the society. We're born into the world naked and exposed, totally vulnerable and dependent on people around us. Masks change appearances and disguise our weaknesses. With our mask, we forge a display of confidence. A mask gives us an opportunity to become something more attractive. But which would be worse? Losing ourselves to the mask or not being able to remove it? The bittersweet truth is that there may come a time when we cannot remove a mask without removing some of our own skin.
The Persona.
Psychologist Carl Jung refers this mask to be a 'persona'. The latin word personae means ‘mask’, and was used to describe the masks worn in ancient Greek plays. It is a mental mask that a person wears depending on what situation they are placed in and how they feel they need to act to deal with it. Although it’s described as a mask, by no means is donning a persona considered to be hiding from the truth. A persona takes an important aspect of that person’s true identity and it blends with a social identity to fit in. People tend to naturally become slightly different people based on their surroundings. One can tell the difference by themselves, most of the time. At home, perhaps you're more anti social and quiet. At school, perhaps you are a social butterfly and you like to be around your friends. Imagine if one day it becomes reversed, then you'd socially isolated and detached from everyone in school. Everyone has their own set of persona to help them belong in the world and interact with others, so how could you be sure you don't wear one?
The Shadow
The polar opposite of the persona is the shadow. It represents every thought or feeling in our heads, usually of a vulgar, shameful, or corrupt nature, the shadow is formed when one cannot uphold one's idea of oneself. We reject the shadow because these thoughts take us farther away from this ideal self. Carl Jung called it shadow purposely to represent the duality of the shadow and persona, to hint at the darkness it brings, and to show that the shadow will always exist. You can’t have light with shadows. So how do you live a happy life with a shadow looming around? Carl Jung says you just have to accept your shadow…therefore, accept your darkest thoughts.
~
Have you attempted to "put on a brave face" or "mask your feelings?"
Everyone wears a mask at one point in their lives. It's something inevitable, and its not wrong. We often put a fake smile on our faces and act like nothing is wrong. We hide behind a concerned face, and make people believe we're listening. So..
Why do we wear these mental masks?
Why is it difficult for us to say what we want?
Are the masks imposed on us?
YES, We often wear it for self protection. Masks help us build our own defenses., they give us the power.. or at least the illusion of it at times when we feel powerless. Sometimes we wear a mask to shield ourselves from getting hurt. We've been proverbially attacked countless times from acts of deceit and betrayal. I'm sure we can all relate to that, yes? We fear rejection. We fear someone will make fun of us for what we hold believe in, also in what we think or feel. Desperately, we all try to fit into the society. We're born into the world naked and exposed, totally vulnerable and dependent on people around us. Masks change appearances and disguise our weaknesses. With our mask, we forge a display of confidence. A mask gives us an opportunity to become something more attractive. But which would be worse? Losing ourselves to the mask or not being able to remove it? The bittersweet truth is that there may come a time when we cannot remove a mask without removing some of our own skin.
Does it ring a bell? ;)
References
http://tinyurl.com/by2l4rb
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evil-deeds/201204/essential-secrets-psychotherapy-what-is-the-shadow
http://suite101.com/article/what-is-the-shadow-a60154
http://artofmanliness.com/2010/08/08/the-masks-men-wear/
http://www.helium.com/items/1505900-the-masks-people-wear
http://tinyurl.com/by2l4rb
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evil-deeds/201204/essential-secrets-psychotherapy-what-is-the-shadow
http://suite101.com/article/what-is-the-shadow-a60154
http://artofmanliness.com/2010/08/08/the-masks-men-wear/
http://www.helium.com/items/1505900-the-masks-people-wear
