Behind the Mask: The Symbolism and Meanings of Venice's Carnivale Faces
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported.
A Handy Guide to Venice's Beautiful Masks
One of the most fun and colorful aspects of Carnivale in Venice are the masks which adorn faces and are featured in every shop window. They are on sale for tourists year round, but during Carnivale season, there are more masks than canals. It's easy to join in and be a part of the fun by picking up your own.
Of course, not all masks are the same. Some are exquisite art pieces meant to hung on a wall, and can range in the hundreds of Euros. Others are small pieces costing less than a scoop of gelato. No matter which you pick up, you'll be glad to have taken a souvenir home with you that is uniquely Venetian.
But before you grab your little piece of Venetian history, make sure you know the meaning behind the mask so you choose the best match for you!
WANT TO SEE THE FULL VERSION OF THIS ESSAY, WITH DOZENS OF CARNIVAL MASK PHOTOS?
Witness the breathtaking spectacle of Venice Carnival come alive! My essay collection delves deep into this captivating tradition, but words can only go so far. To truly experience the vibrant colors and unique textures of the many Venetian mask styles, you'll need to see them for yourself. SUBSCRIBE HERE and gain exclusive access to a rich visual library showcasing the unforgettable imagery of Venice Carnival!
Wait, Chloe, Why Masks?
Hold up, that's a great question. After all, we don't see masks used in Brazil's Carnivale. There's nothing inherent in the Catholic celebration of Lent that necessitates a mask. So why the masks at Venice's Carnivale?
Masks are a part of Venetian history, dating back to the 1300s. For centuries, Venice had one of the most rigid and elaborate set of social classes, and masks were a way of hiding one's identity and class. Masks were banned at various times in Venetian history, but all rules related to clothing and class (called sumptuary laws) were suspended during Carnivale: so the rich and poor alike could dress decadently, and masks were allowed.
There were exceptions when masks were still banned. For example since gambling was legal during Carnivale, there are documents which ban the wearing of masks during gambling (which makes sense, and is hopefully the policy at the Venetian in Vegas).
Like so much of the holiday celebration, Venice Carnivale is more of a cultural festival focusing on the city rather than a religious event. Many of the masks represent aspects of the city's identity. Some of the older, more traditional variants have disappeared, while new forms like steampunk have appeared on the Venetian scene. I'm going to focus on the ones I ran into the most.
The Plague Mask
The most iconic and easily recognizable Venetian mask is the Plague Doctor, and this mask most definitely did not start with Carnivale. The Plague mask was designed by a French physician who tended to the House of Medici and several French kings, and was a way to prevent the smell of disease. Yes, the smell of disease – during the 1600s, doctors believed disease was spread by odor. The Plague mask features a long, hollow nose which would be stuffed with flowers and perfumed rags to prevent the smell of disease from infecting the doctor.
The eyes of the mask were windows covered with crystal to keep fluids out of the eyes. But the result is that the doctor looked distant and bird-like, with strange eyes and a massive nose. Combined with the white gloves (for handled diseased bodies) and the dark robes (for hiding blood splatters and phlegm), the effect is a terrifying reminder of the dangerous impact of plagues, both on the city, and on the psyche of the people who experienced it.
The Bauta and the Colombina
The bauta is one of the original Venetian masks, usually worn by men today (though women would wear it in earlier eras to go to the theater). It has a thick, heavy brow, a strong nose, and long cheeks, covering the entire face. There is no mouth, so it seems spooky, but it was designed this way to maximize anonymity. Best of all, because it is angled away from the face, the wearer can eat, drink, and speak without removing the mask.
This traditional mask is usually worn with a tri-corner hat, a cape, and other Renaissance costume elements. If you are looking for a masculine, mysterious mask that clearly represents Venetian history, this is one of your best bets.
There is a modern variant of this mask for women, known as the Colombina, a mask which is designed to accentuate the beauty of the wearer. Named after a popular, feminine character from a famous piece of Italian literature (Goldoni's Commedia dell'arte), the Colombina is either held in place by a delicate ribbon or even attached to a stick and held by hand. It represents femininity, elegance, and grace.
It is not unusual to see stunning couples wearing these masks together.
The Casanova and Flame of Love Masks
Another pair of masks that are often featured together are the Casanova and the Flame of Love masks, though these are more common as wall hangings. They are insanely popular with tourists, however, because they tell a romantic tale that is unique to Venice.
The Casanova mask is an asymmetrical mask, featuring a doll-like face and fabric sweeping off to the side. Giacomo Casanova was an 18th century adventurer, gambler, and lady-killer (not literally... he was just the original smooth criminal). He was eventually arrested and imprisoned in the cells underneath the Doge's Palace near St. Mark's.
But Casanova did something amazing and unprecedented – he escaped from the prison. It's unclear how, but many suspect that it was with the help of a woman. His mask shows Casanova on the loose, his cloak blowing in the wind as he flees.
His counterpart is another asymmetrical mask with a woman's doll face surrounded by her cloak. Wrapped in her passion, the fabric emulates the shape of the flame, and represents the beauty and danger of the woman who helped Casanova get free.
The Harlequin
Another comical character from the Italian literary (Commedia dell'arte) is the Harlequin, the witty and goofy servant in love with the Colombina character mentioned above. The harlequin face may be done is cute, comical, or even scary ways, but it is marked by the costume often worn with it (or even depicted on it): a diamond pattern done in two contrasting colors.
Harlequins are often associated with clowns, but that's not quite right. The harlequin is crafty and classy, while the clown is a brutish oaf. The harlequin mask is playful but elegant, representing the trickster spirit of Venetian culture. And considering the “everything goes” nature of Carnivale's celebration, it should be no surprise the character is still popular in Carnivale celebrations today.
The Moretta
I will be honest, I only saw this mask type once, but the women were so strikingly beautiful in the masks that I just had to understand more. This mask is a black oval with two clean eyeholes, and nothing else, blocking out the woman's entire face but not her hair or jewelry. The mask is sometimes called the “muta” because the mask would be held in place by a small button the woman held in her mouth. The result is that the mask would seem to float in place.
The mask only appears in descriptions and paintings in the middle-18th century, and it's a bit surreal. I never saw it in stores, but watching it in action was mesmerizing.
The Cat
At first, I assumed that the plethora of cat-shaped masks found at Carnivale was because, well, cats are awesome... and currently quite trendy. However, attending the annual boat race parade in Venice, where a Pantegana (giant rat) float leads the parade had me thinking. In that case, the rat float blows up and releases balloons, demonstrating the city's hatred of rats. And it should be no surprise – Venice was a port city (and rats love ships) that constantly battled the Plague, a problem caused by rats. Considering that Plague masks are already popular, I decided to do a little digging, and sure enough, there was the answer.
The cat mask has come to represent the city's greatest ally in the fight against the Plague – the common city cat. The feline friend ensures rats are held at bay, and the city has been using cat imagery for centuries to thank these furry heroes. The cat is mentioned by Shylock in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice as “both necessary and harmless.” In fact, many Venetian neighborhoods had gattare – cat ladies responsible for feeding stray cats to ensure rat-free streets.
Today, there are very few cats on the main island of Venice. The stray population had gotten so large in the 1990s that an organization was founded to round up the strays and move them to sandbar on the edge of the city, in the fishing village of Malamocco. Still, many Venetians have a love for the felines who helped battle the Plague, and the result is a variety of very adorable cat masks for tourists and locals alike to enjoy.
New Variants!
Steampunk Stylings
One of the new and exciting variants on traditional masks that I saw across the entire Venetian scene were Steampunk-inspired masks. Many of these were magnificently creative and visually intriguing, adding a new, modern look that contrasted sharply with the lavish, Renaissance-style costumes.
Steampunk began as a genre of science fiction which focuses on innovative uses of steam-era machinery (rather than advanced technology) in Industrial Era settings… making it completely out of time or focus for the Venetian Carnivale. And yet, by adding elements of machinery, including gears, springs, and lens, Steampunk masks and costumes bring Carnivale into a different historical era. If you are looking to bring home a souvenir that marks Venice at the moment of your visit, this is an interesting option.
Dia de Los Muertos
A final variant I found interesting were masks of various types (Plague, cat, Bauta, and more) decorated with patterns reminiscent of Dia de Los Muertos, a Mexican holiday honoring the ancestors. To me, this was a fascinating blend of two Catholic holidays that have evolved to represent their cultural backgrounds more than their religious meanings. In addition, the already macabre nature of Plague masks blends well with a holiday that utilizes death imagery.
Regardless of which mask you choose, you will have a souvenir of Venice, a city going through dramatic ecological and touristic changes. Carnivale is a celebration of a bright and colorful past, one where social class created pressure that needed to be released through pomp and circumstance. Put the city’s stories on your wall, and choose the best disguise while enjoying the gelato and canals of the timeless city of Venice.