Choijin Lama Monastery: Mask of Yama

MONGOLIA, Ulaanbaatar

This mask originates from Choijin Lama Monastery. Yama is the Lord of Death, who eliminates the obstacles to enlightenment. Yama plays a central role in the Cham dance.
The paper mache mask is in the form of a large, red ox head. The ox wears a crown of five golden skulls, each with a pair of sunken red eyes. They have wide grins with two rows of large teeth. On top of each skull is a rhomboid decoration inlaid with a flower-shaped precious stone. The ox has a pair of elegant black horns decorated with curved lines in gold. It has a pair of thick golden eyebrows, three wide-open eyes, a large nose with flared nostrils, and an open, smiling mouth revealing flat and straight teeth. Gold jeweled earrings are attached to the earlobes by string.