Mask

The mask is the face shown to the world. Jung called this aspect of the psyche the persona, and treated it as a necessary — but potentially over-identified-with — part of social life. Theatrical and ritual traditions across cultures use masks to mark entry into other states: the noh mask, the Venetian carnival mask, the African masquerade in which the wearer temporarily becomes the ancestor. Dream-masks often arrive during periods of identity shift, when the self is questioning which face has been performance and which has been substance. Notice whether you wear the mask, remove it, or see it worn by another. A mask you cannot remove is classically the psyche asking for the persona’s loosening.