Have you ever seen a Hannya mask? Many people get them
tattooed, but few actually look into the history behind them.
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| Tattoo by Jared Preslar |
The Hannya mask is a Japanese ritual mask used in Noh
Theater, representing the soul of a woman who has become a demon due to
obsession or jealousy.
It possesses two sharp bull-like horns, glaring eyes,
and a leering mouth split from ear to ear.
The Hannya mask is said to be
dangerous and demonic, but also sorrowful and tormented displaying the
complexity of human emotions.
When tilted in different angles the mask will
show this variety of emotions that it is meant to represent.
When the actor looks
straight forward the mask would look scary or angry, as to where when the mask
is tilted down it would appear as though it was crying or full of sorrow.
Traditional Hannya masks used in plays were hand carved
out of wood, and the oldest one dates back to 1558! Different
colors/complexions of the masks represent different things.
If the mask was white or had a light complexion it would represent a woman of high-class. The skin is still white, expressing the jealousy of a noble woman.
A red mask can represent a woman of lower-class. The red Hannya would be considered half way to complete jealousy-driven insanity.
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| Tattoo by Jeff Gogue |
The deepest red or black mask would represent a woman who has gone completely insane and has converted into a demon.
It is said that a woman will transform into the Hannya when jealous or obsessed, but once a woman turns into the deepest red or black Hannya she will be unable to return to her human form.
To know more about Lucky Bamboo Tattoo in Layton, Utah, visit our website at www.luckybambootattoo.com.
