What is a Masquerade Ball and why wear a Masquerade Mask?

A masquerade ball is basically an occasion/event or party in which those attending appear in costume wearing a mask (Masquerade mask). Often these kinds of social gatherings or carnivals as they were called in the day were a part of 15^th century life as elaborate and decadent pageants, or processions celebrating marriage along with other major medieval social occasions of note.

Masquerade balls had been a part of costumed public festivities in Italy throughout the 16^th century. A must attend event for members of the upper classes, these dances were held with great fan fare especially in Venice where the event know as the Venetian Carnival become as popular as they were notorious. With the fall of the VenetianRepublic near the end of the 18th century, the use and tradition of masquerade masks gradually began to decline, until they basically disappeared altogether. Not until the early 1900’s did they become popular again across Europe.

Masquerade balls were often turned into a game of guess the guests. The masked guests were supposed to be dressed as to conceal their identity. This would create a game that basically required guest to try and guess another guest’s identity and often the balls would turn into highly entertaining events as guests would arrive in an ever increasing array of humorous and whimsical disguises.

In the late 1900s in North America, masquerade balls had enjoyed a revival of sorts although these days for the most part the formality of the ball and it’s dancing takes a back seat to creation of the party atmosphere itself.

Today the masquerade ball still holds true to its roots with the promise of romantic allure and forbidden fruit. Prominently featured in romance novels, modern movies and of course who could forget Phantom of the Opera. The Masquerade Ball and Masquerade Mask are finding there way into more than a few weddings and other social gatherings.Next up I’ll explore the psychology behind why we “love” to hide behind the Masquerade Mask and what it might mean.