Mongolian Death Mask

[Lynn]

Hello

I got this at a local auction. I knew it was a death mask but I had not idea from where it truly came from. I did some reading up on it. Seems its a ceremonial mask. It seems it was well "handled" before the action and that sadly chipped some paint from it. It is not a "toy" and I hope that those whom touched it did not suffer from doing so. It should have gone for a lot more than I paid for it $25 CDN. Maybe the energy behind it did its work as I got it. Its now in the right home I felt that soon as I picked it up.

We so do not understand the power behind things used for sacred ceremonies. I understand it came from an estate in Vancouver and there was no family to pass things to. Its now going to be put into a custom Shadow Box and kept safe. My kids understand the value of things so even when I pass it will be kept respected.

Has anyone else ever found something tied to ceremony that just called to them ? Like it had to come home is the feeling I get.

Mongolian masks symbolizing the actual presence of a deity never have their eyes pierced. The performers therefore had to look through the mouths of the masks, adding extra height to the performer. As the temporary residence of gods and demons, masks are like statues and treated as sacred objects. When not in use, they were stored in monasteries and paid homage to in daily rituals.




Lynn

[Clover]

Very cool artifact! I got very powerful vibes from the photo alone. I don't think I would be bold/courageous enough to keep an item like this inside my home, but it is an interesting item with very rich worthy history.

[Ariaecheflame]

well the title certainly captured my attention!
I have Mongolian heritage in my bloodline... so felt my interest rise.
I immediately noticed the eye in the middle of the mask...Certainly makes a statement!

I am curious what drew you to this particular artefact Lynn? If you don't mind me asking

[Clover]

You know what immediately drew my attention? The skulls. They reminded me of Mexican sugar skulls, almost child like, respectively. Once I got past the skulls, the colors and facial expression certainly made a strong deep impression, (energetically). Myself having a strong Native American bloodline presence, I didn't get a sense it was part of my 'soul tribe' or familiar if you know what I mean.



@Emeraldheart, so interesting how you noticed the eye in the middle of the mask ( third eye) that is actually really cool now that I gave it a second look.

[Shivani Devi]

Originally Posted by Lynn

Hello

I got this at a local auction. I knew it was a death mask but I had not idea from where it truly came from. I did some reading up on it. Seems its a ceremonial mask. It seems it was well "handled" before the action and that sadly chipped some paint from it. It is not a "toy" and I hope that those whom touched it did not suffer from doing so. It should have gone for a lot more than I paid for it $25 CDN. Maybe the energy behind it did its work as I got it. Its now in the right home I felt that soon as I picked it up.

We so do not understand the power behind things used for sacred ceremonies. I understand it came from an estate in Vancouver and there was no family to pass things to. Its now going to be put into a custom Shadow Box and kept safe. My kids understand the value of things so even when I pass it will be kept respected.

Has anyone else ever found something tied to ceremony that just called to them ? Like it had to come home is the feeling I get.

Mongolian masks symbolizing the actual presence of a deity never have their eyes pierced. The performers therefore had to look through the mouths of the masks, adding extra height to the performer. As the temporary residence of gods and demons, masks are like statues and treated as sacred objects. When not in use, they were stored in monasteries and paid homage to in daily rituals.




Lynn

Greetings, Lynn.

I have a very similar mask upon my bedroom wall and mine comes from Tibet.

This deity is known as Mahakala Bernagchen in Buddhism. Mahakala is also an aspect of Lord Shiva in Hinduism. Mahakala = the Great Lord of Time/Death....into which all things dissolve.

This God, Mahakala is where the syncretism of both the Buddhist and Hindu religions meet and it's why I have such an interest and fascination with it.

Mahakala is also known in Hinduism as Bhairava and if you compare pictures of the Hindu Bhairava and the Buddhist Mahakala, you'll see they are one in the same - they are both the cosmic aspect of Lord Shiva.

Mahakala Bhairava:



Mahakala Bhairava is also the gatekeeper/protector of temples and sacred places and you'll also see statues of Him outside temples in Bali, Indonesia.

Yes, this is the God I worship in full-on display.

[Shivani Devi]

Oh yes, FYI, I have something around my neck that I never remove:



Suffice to say, this goes very deep with me.