Davis1

Sammy Davis

Erin Rogers

Writing 1010

10/14/17

Majora’s Mask: The Culture Behind the Mask

From a young age, or younger age at least, I was captivated by the art, game

mechanics, and characters that made up Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. But out of the

whole game, it was the mask that captured my attention. The colors were so vibrant and

intense it was impossible for me to not focus my attention on it – much to Takaya

Imamura’s credit (the game designer). After watching a YouTube video about cultural

influences in Majora’s Mask, I realized that the color, designs, and shape of the mask

probably were more than a little inspired by ancient cultures. And it wasn’t even just the

design of the mask that had me thinking that it was connected to ancient cultures. The

behaviors of the mask and its wearer reminded me of Chinese and African cultures

(because they’re both known for their masks). Remembering that the color in masks is

significant in both cultures, I decided to start there.

African cultures rely heavily on the color scheme of the masks to portray their

meaning. Most African cultures use three basic colors in masks: red, white, and black

(along with the colors caused by mixing all three together), with a few cultures using

blue, green and gold. Depending on where you look in Africa red means bloodshed

(either through war or a child’s death), beauty, or masculinity. White could represent

spirits, ancestors, the nurturing nature of women, the purity of a bride, or reproduction.

Black could represent antisocial behaviors, unity, or behaviors that were inappropriate.
 Davis2

Blue would represent innocence, green representing earth or Africa itself, and gold

meaning fortune.

Chinese cultures used and still use masks in cultural performances to this day.

Their masks use colors to portray the character’s personalities or intentions, because

“[w]ith masks, [the] audience is able to read [the] character of a role at one glance”

(History of Chinese Mask), which speeds up the process, making the viewing of the

performance more enjoyable. The use of black represented the character’s neutrality,

impartiality, and integrity. Yellow would mean the character was cruel, evil, hypocritical,

ambitious, and sly. Red in the mask could show the character’s positivity, symbolize

prosperity, their loyalty, courage, heroism, and intelligence. Purple used on the masks

could act as a replacement for red or represent justice and the character’s sophistication.

Masks that were blue also represented neutrality, but could also suggest the stubbornness,

astuteness, and ferocity of a character. Use of green in masks represented a character’s

violent and impulsive nature as well as their lack of restraint. White-faced masks

represented evil and hypocritical characters. Gold or silver masks meant the character

was either a demon, or a ghost/spirit, and represented the mysterious nature of the

character.

In contrast with Chinese culture, African cultures use different shapes in different

masks for different events. There are different masks for funerals, dances, gatherings, and

story-telling, among others. Heart-shaped masks could be donned by hunters or used in

rituals to rid men and women of witches or be seen on those representing protective

forest spirits. Which is described here: “[The] Kwele occupy a great forest region on the

borders of Gabon…[they] believe that unexplained deaths, epidemic smallpox, and other
 Davis3

mysterious threats to the well-being of individuals or the community are caused by

witchcraft” (Tribal African Art). Masks with high protruding foreheads meant that the

wearer was wise. It also seems that all, if not most, masks in African cultures have noses,

quite possibly because they believe human form is superior to others.

Though the Chinese culture doesn’t generally change the shape of their masks

(other than minor differences due to different crafters of such masks) there are many

different uses for them. Like African cultures, masks were used in ancient times for

exorcisms after someone has passed (usually as part of the funeral). They’re still used in

dances, whether for operas (though today they paint on the masks because the actors

move so much) or festivals. And even newborns were given masks to ward off evil, and

welcome in peace.

Designs for African cultural masks usually feature geometric lines, including

straight lines, spirals, triangles and the like, all of which are typically arranged

symmetrically. This is not simply because it looks good, but also to represent integrity of

the wearer. There’s also significance in the quality of the mask. If the mask is polished

and smooth (usually wood or clay) then it represented youthfulness, smooth skin, beauty,

and virtue for the wearer. However, if the mask is rough and unpolished it represents a

fearfulness, and evilness (worn to represent an evil spirit, not a reflection of the wearer).

The Chinese cultural masks don’t vary much in design. However, one of the most

common masks used depicts a dragon, and while it may be common, it is particularly

tricky to make. It is commonly used in festivals and dances because the dragon represents

fortune and prosperity. The masks are also made of wood – making them even more

complicated to make (if they’re not painted directly onto the face itself, that is).
 Davis4

By now, you’re probably wondering how all of this is relatable to The Legend of

Zelda: Majora’s Mask. Well, as I mentioned earlier the colors of Majora’s Mask were

very vibrant – like those used in Chinese and African cultures. The mask in the game has

other similarities with these cultures as well. With design similarities, use of symbolic

meaning, and similar use of shape all apparent in Majora’s Mask. Looking at these

similarities in the context of the Chinese and African cultures helps to explain some

things.

I found that colors from both cultures are included in Majora’s Mask. The colors

present in the mask are as follows: purple, orange (a symbolic combination of red and

yellow), red, yellow, green, blue, white, and black. However, sometimes the significance

of the colors in African and Chinese cultures contradict each other (red for example), so

I’ll address the characteristics that are consistent with their use in Majora’s Mask. The

purple (which is sometimes used as a substitute for blue), which represents fierceness,

represents the character’s obsession with justice – but that isn’t necessarily a good thing

(the mask wants to kill all life on earth and thinks it’s justified to do so). Red (in African

cultures) is representative of bloodshed but also intelligence (Chinese). Black (African

again) represents antisocial or inappropriate behaviors. White (as used in African culture

– since white is only symbolically significant in Chinese culture when used to paint the

face mostly white) is representative of spirits (and the mask is basically possessed).

Yellow represents cruelty, being sly, evil, hypocritical, and ambitious. Green (Chinese)

means violence, impulsivity, and lack of restraint.

The shape and design of the mask are as follows: roughly polished (depending on

the picture) wood, heart-shaped, and symmetrical designs (triangles, swirls, and curved
 Davis5

lines). The roughness of the mask represents evilness (which is true of the mask), since

an evil spirit basically possesses the mask. The fact that it appears to be made of wood is

a link to both cultures. First, the fact that it came from a forest is a strong tie to African

cultures, in which “Ekuk” [the wearers of the masks] means both “protective forest spirit”

and “children of beete.”” (Tribal African Art). A heart-shaped mask was used in African

cultures to exorcise evil spirits – and ironically, Majora’s evil mask is also heart shaped.

Using the heart shaped design also results in a wide forehead, which represents wisdom –

and I’m not going to deny that the mask in the game was smart. And finally, the mask

features lines which are like the geometric decorations used in African cultural masks.

All in all, I can say that there are some very interesting similarities between the

mask in Majora’s Mask, and both Chinese and African cultures. The shape and design

were both significant factors in linking culture to Majora’s Mask. However, nothing

really linked to culture nearly as much as the different colors did, even though the two

cultures may not have agreed on the meaning of every color. But I think the most

significant suggestion of cultural ties is something I hinted at earlier – both cultures use

masks to give meaning to the characters or people wearing them, and it seems as

Majora’s Mask is doing exactly that by portraying the person wearing the mask as well as

the characteristics of the mask itself.

 Davis6

Works Cited

Ark, Nouah's. “Meaning of Colors Used in Masks.” Beijing Opera Masks - Meaning of
Colors Used in Masks,
www.nouahsark.com/en/infocenter/culture/art/opera_masks/meaning.php.

“History of Chinese Masks.” History of Chinese Masks - Ancient Chinese Masks, 2017,
www.historyofmasks.net/mask-history/history-of-chinese-masks/.

“Tribal African Art.” Kwele, www.zyama.com/kwele/pics..htm.

“Unmasking the meaning behind color in African art.” Tribunedigital-Baltimoresun, 18

Apr. 2007, articles.baltimoresun.com/2007-04-
18/features/0704180243_1_african-art-primary-colors-masks.