Choijin Lama Monastery: Mask of Citipati

MONGOLIA, Ulaanbaatar

This paper mache mask of Citipati, the Lord of the Cemetery, is one of a pair that was used in the Cham dance. Although the masks appear frightful, they take on the role of a comic character.
The skull-shaped mask has three deep and hollow eye sockets. Around the top, there is a crown of five smaller skulls, atop each of which is a representation of a flame inlaid with a large jewel. Additionally, there is a string of colored beads in the mouth of each skull. Behind the crown is a multi-tier colored canopy with a variety of designs. Falling to the side of the central skull are rainbow-colored fans similar to butterfly wings, from which Citipati derives its Mongolian name.