Skull Masks
Traditional day of the dead altars include offerings to the four elements — a tribute to the atavistic, pre-Colombian roots underlying the Christian holiday. These four skull masks capture the darker aspect of the tradition where ancient meets modern, life courts death, and earthly and spiritual worlds collide.
- Earth Spirit
- Earth is represented by a crop: The Mexicans believe the souls are fed by the aroma of food. The ear of corn is the staff of life in Mexico.
- Wind Spirit
- Wind is represented by a moving object: On an altar, this can be tissue paper. Here, wind is depicted as feather, a traditional Native American symbol.
- Water Spirit
- Water is placed in a container for the soul to quench its thirst after the long journey to the altar. The trident and ancient wave pattern represent water.
- Fire Spirit
- Fire is represented by a wax candle: Each lit candle represents a soul, and an extra one is placed for the forgotten soul.
2 Comments
Carol Ring
Dec 31, 2014I am an astrologer, using the 4 elements of earth, air, fire and water constantly. There’s no way a Cancer person’s body is even made the same way an Aquarian’s is. The elements permeate all of this physical life…
I would love to own these masks; they are so carefully made. But I’m sure I could not afford them. Maybe I’ll just frame a picture of them.
sarah hage
Jan 2, 2015Hi Carol,
I’m so glad you like the Spirit of the Elements masks. They are on display at the Unitarian/Universalist Community Church in Santa Monica, CA until January 26th. If you are local, you can see them there in person. You can purchase the set for %495 or individual masks for $175 each. I currently don’t have a high-quality print of the masks, but if you are willing to purchase one, I can have a giclee made for $20 plus shipping.