Masks for the Gods: A Worldwide Pictorial Study

By Gary Edson

This book studies masks and their roles in worldwide mythology and religion, as well as the ceremonies danced for the gods of a variety of cultures. Masks are odd; they are worn to conceal faces, for people to pretend they are someone or something different, and they can be grotesque or beautiful. Their communal importance cannot be detached from the related rituals. Legend and folklore tell many curious tales of the inspiration of spirits, sacrifice to deities, and dance in relation to the creation of masks. The wants and needs of the community influence the creator of the mask, but the creator is an artist who carves and lives the story of the mask.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1476695547
• ISBN13: 9781476695549
• Release Date: November 2026
• Publisher: McFarland & Company
• Length: 120 Pages
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 7.0" x 10.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up