Balinese Masks 101: A Guide to Their Sacred Meanings and Roles

You should agree that Bali is one of the most art-rich places in the world. It’s not only the music, dances, drama, paintings, but also the sacred Balinese masks.

If you have ever come to Bali, you may have seen there are so many shops that sell beautiful masks that are identical to Balinese art or you may have seen dance or drama performances wearing masks. But don’t get it wrong, the masks that they wear are not the masks you see in the shops.

The Sacred Meaning of the Balinese Mask

The Balinese masks are more than just art. It has a deep spiritual meaning behind it and is used for certain purposes in Bali. It is rooted from the animism and dynamism believed in the past. For Balinese people, the Balinese mask is a sacred and holy stuff. Balinese people believe that Gods are present in all things.

Therefore, the ancient Balinese created stunning “houses” for the spirits and transcendental energies to live in. In short, the masks are a medium for the ancestral spirits and other spirits to live and visit the physical world, as it symbolize the divine being or energies in a physical form.

Photo source: Cylon Fingers

The Making of Balinese Masks

Artisans use scented woods like ylang and pule to craft Balinese masks, undergoing various sculpting stages akin to rituals. The mask maker, known as undagi tapel, must adhere to specific rules during the creation process. Therefore, the making of Balinese masks takes time.

In making the masks, the undagi tapel uses various kinds of tools to design and craft the mask. The manufacturing time depends on the design, materials, and the type of mask made. For example, the animal masks take a long time and more money in the making. The undagi carefully craft their work using goat skin, buffalo hair, and boar’s teeth, requiring precision and skill in every detail.

Photo source: Matthew Gordon

The Balinese Mask’ Designs

The Balinese masks’ designs consist of various shapes and sizes. It depicts human faces, Gods, animals, and supernatural beings. Some masks depicture emotions such as anger, calmness, or even being in love. Different designs of the mask are used on different occasions.

Emphasizing the intended characteristics is a key aspect of crafting the design.For example, firm face masks to describe fighters, old-face masks to depict elder humans, queen masks represent the nobility. On the other hand, there are also Balinese masks that portray ugly, fangs, and eyes-wide-open figures like Calonarang that symbolize wickedness.

And the unique one is Balinese masks that depict transitional creatures between humans and giants with rough tempers. Otherwise, there are also the ones that describe delicate characters named topeng Telek.

Photo source: Peter

Can I Have My Own Bali Mask?

In contemporary times, Balinese masks have proliferated as souvenir items, despite their traditional use in specific ceremonies and celebrations, storage in sacred locations, and involvement in special rituals. Certainly, these masks differ from the sacred ones, requiring careful placement in cotton bags and preservation within a temple for safekeeping. Instead, the masks that you can have are the ones that are crafted for decorative purposes like decorating the wall of your house. Therefore, it does not need the same treatment as the sacred one.

Photo source: Colin Charles

Types of Balinese Masks and Their Meanings

In Bali, masks (topeng in Indonesian) are far more than just beautiful works of art. Each one holds a story, a role, and a deep spiritual meaning. You’ll see them in temple ceremonies, traditional dances, and village festivals. Each with its own character and energy. Here are some of the most iconic:

1. Barong Mask

The Barong is a beloved figure in Balinese culture, symbolizing goodness, protection, and positive energy. In the famous Barong Dance, he faces off against Rangda, the embodiment of evil, in a dramatic performance that tells the timeless story of balance in the universe. The mask itself is striking. A lion-like face, intricate carvings, bold colors, and wide, expressive eyes.

2. Rangda Mask

Rangda is the dark counterpart to Barong. A fearsome figure representing chaos, destruction, and dark magic. She appears with wild hair, bulging eyes, long fangs, and a terrifying grin meant to send shivers down your spine. Her battle with Barong is not about winning or losing, but about showing that good and evil are forever intertwined.

3. Topeng Masks (Topeng Pajegan & Topeng Panca)

“Topeng” means mask in Indonesian, and these are the heart of Bali’s traditional storytelling. In Topeng Pajegan, a single dancer transforms into multiple characters, each with a different mask. In Topeng Panca, five performers share the stage, each playing a unique role. Some masks depict noble kings, others are comic and mischievous. Together, they bring history and legends to life in a colorful, theatrical way.

4. Sidakarya Mask

This mask is all about completion and blessings. You’ll see it during the final moments of important temple ceremonies, where it’s worn to ensure the event ends in harmony and prosperity. With its white face, neatly drawn mustache, and soft smile, the Sidakarya mask feels welcoming. A symbol of goodwill and closure.

Source: Unsplash

Where to See and Get the Balinese Masks?

It is easy to get hand-crafted masks in Bali, like in shops and museums, anywhere on the island. But if you want to get one with unique experiences, you can do it in Mas village. A Bali wood carving center located in Ubud. Here you can see directly how the local people sculpt the wood and change it into noble wood art.

When you come to Bali, visiting Ubud and the area around is a must. Ubud is the center of many kinds of arts. It is also a peaceful place with stunning green nature. Staying in Ubud will give you tranquility and memorable moments that you will miss all your life like staying at a Private villa in Ubud such as Villa Vastu. Contact us for more information. The Red Lotus Property team will be happy to greet you.