A brief introduction to Tibetan masks

Masks have been used for centuries in Tibet to represent and describe various characters of Buddhist ritual dances and secular plays. Most common are the "wrathful" faces that represent fearsome deities who guard against evil or ignorance. Skull images are a reminder of the impermanent nature of our existence. These masks are handcrafted in Nepal from waste wood gathered at cutting sites in planation forests. A leather cord is attached to the sides on the back for hanging, and in some cases for wearing!