What is the true meaning of Venetian masks?
Venetian masks have a long history and a very deep meaning. Originally, Venetian masks were used during the Carnival of Venice, an annual celebration held before the Christian Lent. During Carnival, Venetians wore masks to hide their true identities and to attend parties and balls incognito.
The deeper meaning of Venetian masks is to represent freedom from social conventions and society's expectations. By wearing a mask, people could be whoever they wanted to be, without worrying about the consequences.
Furthermore, Venetian masks are also considered a symbol of diversity and acceptance. During Carnival, everyone was accepted regardless of their social class, age, gender, or sexual orientation, and was allowed to attend parties and balls without judgment.
Today, Venetian masks are still used during the Carnival of Venice and have become a cultural symbol of the city. They are also used as decoration and as an accessory for dance and theatre.
The mask is a mixture of truth and falsehood, sincerity and illusion. Hard to figure out where it comes from, but its origins are mostly for rituals. Outside of history, the mask has been used to break the rules.
The mask, the undisputed queen of the Venetian carnival, makes no distinction between the actor and the observer, it initiates the momentary escape from the daily routine, allowing one to indulge in the most hidden desires and at the same time highlight aspects of the human being that social life usually hides, sometimes revealing hidden truths.
Not by chance, the sharp dandy, protagonist of the English worldly salons, in another of his famous aphorisms, liked to point out that "man is little himself when he speaks in the first person; put a mask on him and he will tell you the truth".
Together with the mask, the disguise, an obligatory element of the Venetian popular festival, celebrates in this form of renewal of clothes, as Bakhtin rightly observes, the need of the people to renew their social image: the carnival, in opposition to the official festival, was the triumph of a kind of temporary liberation from the dominant truth and from the existing regime, the temporary abolition of all hierarchical relationships, privileges, rules and taboos.
What are the names of the typical Venetian masks?
There are 4 famous types of Venetian masks: Baùta, Gnaga, Moretta and Volto. There are also others linked to the commedia dell'arte and Goldoni's theatre, such as Arlecchino, Pantalone and Colombina.
Bauta, Bauta or Bautta mask
Truth and Lies About Masks Made in China vs Genuine Masks!
Venetian masks are an iconic symbol of the city of Venice and are used to celebrate the Carnival of Venice, one of the most famous events in the city. However, over the past 30 years or more, there have been many "fake" Venetian masks that have been manufactured outside the city of Venice and sold as authentic.
These masks are often made in countries far from Venice, such as China or other countries, and are sold at much lower prices than authentic masks made in Venice. However, these fake masks are not only less expensive, but also less durable and are often not made from high-quality materials.
Furthermore, fake masks are not only a problem for consumers, but also for the Venetian artisans who work hard to create authentic masks. These artisans work for years to perfect their techniques and create high quality masks, but the fake masks are putting their business at risk.
To avoid buying a fake mask, it's important to only buy from reputable dealers and verify that the mask was made in Venice. Also, authentic masks will have a higher price tag than fake masks.
Ultimately, Venetian masks are an important symbol of the city of Venice and should only be purchased from reputable artisans and made in Venice. Fake masks are not only cheaper (because they are reproduced in China, made in Plastic, something totally crazy for tradition) and of lower quality, but they also put the activity of the Venetian artisans at risk.
In addition to us, who produce quality products, I leave you the contact of my master Alberto, better known as Tito, who still continues to produce and make original Venetian masks in his Bluemoonvenice workshop, near the Rialto bridge.
Address : Calle del Capeler, 1578, 30125 Venice VE, Italy
Phone: +39 041 524 2567
Eyes wide shut movie masks
How should I dress for a carnival in Venice?
Should I go to Venice during Carnival?
The Carnival period is considered the busiest time to visit the famous city of Venice. However, if you decide to go there, I recommend planning ahead and booking your accommodation well in advance to avoid the crowds and save some money.