Masquerade Ball Masks - Dress In Style

Be the best looking person at a party of masks by purchasing from our stylish collection of masquerade ball masks.

Masks have been used by almost every culture through out time. They have been worn during the performance of rituals, during performances for entertainment, and to conceal identity. Many cultures incorporate ritualistic face coverings into religious or magical ceremonies.

Face coverings have traditionally played an important role in theater. Most of them dress up in mardi gras masquerade masks to look different. They pretty much look like costumes that you would wear on halloween.

The Greeks were masters of using face coverings in theatrical performances. The face coverings were frequently exaggerated expressions designed to underscore the story line and the character’s role.

These masks are used in many events such as prom, the famous masked ball 2009 and the popular renaissance masquerade masquerade parties. Medieval actors wore face coverings to portray gods or fantastic creatures in plays. They also woree many decorations such as sticks and fancy dresses.

The use of masks continues to be an important part of modern theater. People sometimes cover their faces to conceal their identity. Protesters, people involved in riots, and vigilante groups have traditionally concealed their faces to avoid identification by the police or government authorities.

Occasionally a witness against a criminal defendant will wear a disguise when testifying in court to protect his or her identity and avoid revenge by friends or family of the accused.

The most frequent use of masks today is the use of the masquerade ball mask. The mask is frequently part of an overall costume theme. Elaborate masks were often used as part of marriage ceremonies as well.

Disguises were used with regularity as regular costume at elaborate Renaissance era dances, especially in Venice, Italy. These dances were rich affairs attended by the elite members of 16th Century European society.

The event was staged as a game among the guests who tried to determine the identity of other guests. Dance partners changed through out the evening and at the end of the party, the guests removed their disguises. Disguises ranged from a simple black covering over the eyes to exquisitely designed face coverings complete with jewels.

These gatherings later evolved to public festivals complete with pageants and parades where the participants were disguised by ornately designed masks. When the Venetian Republic collapsed in the last years of 1700s the tradition began to wane and eventually completely ended. Some notable events that incorporated ornate disguises includes the Burning Men’s Ball which was a costumed ball to celebrate the marriage of one of the ladies in waiting to the Queen of France in 1393.

The King and a few friends dressed up as wild men covered in tar to entertain the guests. They carried torches and when some of the guests got too close to the torch they caught fire.

Such events have also been the scene of political treachery. Gustav III of Sweden was assassinated at such an event. The most notable of these gatherings in the 20th Century was held in Venice in 1951. It was hosted by Carlos de Beistegui and billed as the party of the century.

Americans are familiar with the elaborate and often wild disguises worn during the Fat Tuesday celebrations of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. The State of Louisiana prohibits concealing one’s identity in public, but for one day, Mardi Gras Day, the law is suspended and the people make merry while disguised.

Of course, banks, credit unions, and other money exchanges and lenders close for the day in order to avoid a potential robbery by a masked party goers. Businesses that do remain open to take advantage of the influx of tourist dollars require people to remove their disguises before entering the business.

Other popular masks that you can purchase for special events are the popular venetian masquerade masks. You can purchase them online for very low prices to wear to any special party you have in mind such as prom.